Aussies obsessed with Bali will have another way of getting there after Virgin Australia announced a new route. The airline revealed it will now fly from Canberra to Bali, making it the only Aussie carrier to fly non-stop to the hotspot from the nation’s capital. Qantas offers the service, however it involves a stopover at either Sydney or Melbourne with the overall flight duration around 12 hours. Virgin’s new route will cut that time in half to just over six hours.The first flight kicked off on Monday at 4.10pm, marking the airline’s first-ever international flight from the capital.“We have been preparing for Virgin Australia’s Canberra to Bali service to launch since first announcing the new route in January this year,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson told news.com.au.“We continually review our network to identify opportunities that reflect customer demand, and Bali has consistently been one of the most popular international destinations for Australian travellers.”The spokesperson said it became clear there was strong demand from Canberra and the surrounding region for a more direct way to reach Bali, making this a natural next step in the growth of its international network.“We know many travellers from Canberra and regional New South Wales currently connect through Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney or the Gold Coast to reach Bali,” the spokesperson said.“By offering a direct service from Canberra, we’re making it easier and more convenient for people to start their holiday sooner, reducing the need for additional domestic connections or long drives before an international flight.”Around 1.5 million Aussies travel to Bali each year, making Indonesia one of the top overseas destinations for Australian travellers.The new return service will operate three times per week, adding more than 40,000 seats annually between Australia and the island hotspot. “We’re very confident the service will be welcomed by travellers across Canberra and the surrounding region and is already performing well,” the spokesperson added.“Bali remains one of the most sought-after international destinations for Australians, and last year alone we carried more than half a million guests between Australia and Bali, demonstrating the strong and ongoing demand for the holiday hotspot. “This new route provides greater choice, convenience and connectivity for travellers looking to fly direct.”To celebrate, Virgin partnered with FINNS Beach Club, a world-renowned club in Bali where guests of the inaugural flight received complimentary FINNS’ daybed vouchers valued at $190 each, plus entertainment including live performances from the club’s iconic dancers.To mark the milestone, the airline has also launched a sale with fares from Canberra to Bali (Denpasar) available from $449 return (Economy Lite). The sale is available to book until 11:59pm AEST Friday, June 26 (unless sold out prior), for selected travel dates between July 28, 2026 and May 24, 2027.