How popular isVirgin Australia?
In September 2026, people searched for Virgin Australia by name about 673,000 times, an 18.2% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 22.9% of all Australia airline searches, placing Virgin Australia third out of four airlines. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about airlines, Virgin Australia appeared in four of the five answers and was the most recommended of the four.
Virgin Australia is the third most searched of 4 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.
JetstarShare of searches 41.5%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
QantasShare of searches 34%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Virgin AustraliaShare of searches 22.9%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
RexShare of searches 1.7%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
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Top airlines in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Virgin Australia was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Virgin Australia is the most recommended of the four.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Virgin Australia1st
- Qantas2nd
- Jetstar3rd
- Rex–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Jetstar4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Virgin Australia4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Qantas3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Rex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about airlines
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which airline should I fly with in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best airlines in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best value airline for domestic flights in Australia?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“flights”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheap flights”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Which airlines compete with Virgin Australia?
Share of searches by month for Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Jetstar | Qantas | Virgin Australia | Rex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.5% | 33.7% | 22.8% | 2% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 33.9% | 22.8% | 1.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.5% | 34% | 22.9% | 1.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 41.6% | 33.9% | 22.8% | 1.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 36.7% | 36.7% | 24.8% | 1.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.6% | 33.9% | 22.8% | 1.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 41.5% | 34% | 22.9% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 44.3% | 29.6% | 24.3% | 1.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.5% | 32.3% | 26.6% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.8% | 36.8% | 24.8% | 1.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.8% | 34% | 22.9% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.5% | 34% | 22.9% | 1.7% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 41.5% | 1.2M | -18.7% | -0.3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 34% | 1M | -18% | 0 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 22.9% | 673K | -18.2% | 0 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 1.7% | 49.5K | 0% | +0.3 points |
1.
Jetstar41.5%
Held 1st. 1.2M estimated branded searches, -18.7% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
2.
Qantas34%
Held 2nd. 1M estimated branded searches, -18% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
22.9%
Held 3rd. 673K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
4.
Rex1.7%
Held 4th. 49.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
Compare popularity between Virgin Australia and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Virgin Australia
3 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Virgin Australia changed in Australia over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Virgin Australia in Australia fell from 823K to 673K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Virgin Australia’s share of searches among airlines in Australia peaked at 26.6% in June 2026 and was lowest at 22.8% in October 2025.
How did search popularity change for Australia airlines in September 2026?
4 changes
Virgin Australia’s share of searches among airlines in Australia has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 26.6% to 22.9% in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Rex in Australia fell 33.1% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 49.5K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Jetstar in Australia fell 18.7% over 12 measured months, from 1.5M to 1.2M in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Qantas in Australia fell 18% over 12 measured months, from 1.2M to 1M in September 2026.
How are Virgin Australia’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Virgin Australia’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- virgin australia
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