Ever since REX commenced 737 operations in March 2021, I was eager to see what it was like.
I have flown with REX before on their SAAB 340, including the marathon Brisbane to Mount Isa milk run.

The reason I have waited until now was the rules on having to wear a mask in airports and aircraft was a big deterrent for me as I found masks to be extremely unpleasant and made me feel panicky.

Now that has been relaxed, so time to get a flight in for 2022. Haven't flown on an airline flight since November 2019. That can be found here.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1436371

Sadly nothing in 2020 thanks to the Chinese Flu. 2021 was better as I did manage to arrange a flight in a De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk. That can be found here.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1460855

REX operate out of Terminal 4 in Melbourne. Last time I was there was in 2008 back in the days of Tiger Airways and the building was very basic.

Since then it has been rebuilt and now looks like any other terminal.

Date: Tuesday 29 November 2022
Route: Adelaide (ADL) - Melbourne (MEL)
Flight No: ZL444
Aircraft: 737-85R
Registration: VH-MFM
Seat: 4A

Security was another thing altogether… bag took ages to come through as they were unsure about something, and wanted to open my bag up and have a look etc. but nothing else was said, so got though eventually. I wonder if it was my zgcine GoPro charging box.

Then the long walk to gate 12. Since the interior of terminal 1 was renovated, even the small travelator was removed. For someone with mobility challenges, Adelaide Airport used to be a great little airport, but in my eyes has gone downhill in that regard over the years.

While waiting saw the final Fokker 50 that Alliance operated, depart, so the last take off of a Fokker turboprop aircraft from Adelaide, as well as Toll 737 freighter plus a few other things.

ADLTerminalGate12-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AllianceFokker100-VH-UQW-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AllianceFokker100-VH-UQW-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AllianceFokker100-VH-UQW-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AllianceFokker100-VH-UQW-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Fokker50-VH-FKW-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Fokker50-VH-FKW-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Fokker50-VH-FKW-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-YXT-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Qantas737-838-VH-VXQ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Qantas737-838-VH-VXQ-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Qantas737-838-VH-VXQ-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkERJ190-100AR-VH-UZQ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkERJ190-100AR-VH-UZQ-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkERJ190-100AR-VH-UZQ-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkERJ190-100AR-VH-UZQ-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-PRX-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-PRX-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-PRX-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-RXE-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZRM-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Toll737-484F-ZK-TLL-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Toll737-484F-ZK-TLL-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Toll737-484F-ZK-TLL-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VUO-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VUO-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VUO-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-YFZ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-YFZ-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-YFZ-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Was able to board a bit early.

The cabin looks clean and in good condition.

Extra legroom seat was comfortable and despite overhearing a flight attendant say the flight is full, the seat next to me remained empty.

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Was a smooth take off from Adelaide. Good to be flying again.

Flight video.
https://youtu.be/Qb6cO2gYAgo

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-11 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-12 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-13 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-14 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-15 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-16 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-17 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-18 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-19 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-20 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Complimentary snack and tea, coffee or water were served.

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-21 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-22 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-23 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-24 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-25 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Very smooth flight and only a few bumps on descent into Melbourne.
Smooth landing.

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-26 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-27 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-28 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-29 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

MalaysiaA330-323-9M-MTI-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

CathayPacific777.367-B-KQQ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Jetstar787-8-VH-VKH-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

MELTerminal-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Waited for the crowd to go and had a quick chat to the captain on the way out.

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-30 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Spent a few hours sat at gate 12 watching the comings and goings.

Cathaypacificcargo747-867F-B-LJL-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Etihad777-3FX-A6-ETQ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-VGT-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-VGT-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-VQE-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-VQE-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-VQE-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-XSJ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-YXQ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA320-232-VH-YXV-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA321-231-VH-VWN-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

JetstarA321-231-VH-VWN-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantasA330-202-VH-EBN-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantasfreightA321-231F-VH-ULW-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Qatar777-3DZ-A7-BEU-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-RQC-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-RQC-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-RQC-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-RQC-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-RQC-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-RQC-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-RQC-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-31 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-32 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-85R-VH-MFM-33 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZRY-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Shanghaiairlines787-9-B-1111-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VUI-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Date: Tuesday 29 November 2022
Route: Melbourne (MEL) - Adelaide (ADL)
Flight No: ZL489
Aircraft: 737-8FE
Registration: VH-PAG
Seat: 4A

History of VH-PAG
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/ ... ?refresh=1

As boarding time neared there was some confusion over if there was a gate change from gate 11, but there wasn’t.

When a delay was announced, I was expecting the flight to be cancelled or something, but we were only delayed for half hour or so.

Again was able to board before the crowd.

Both seats next to me remained empty. Wonder if someone got bored with the delay and wandered off to the bar. I’m not complaining.

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-2a by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VON-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantasfreightA321-231F-VH-ULY-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantasA330-203-VH-EBL-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Takeoff was a bit bumpy.

Flight video.
https://youtu.be/wp5aFUsmmlo

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-11 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-12 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-13 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-14 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Same tea/coffee or water and savoury snack as on the way over.

Smooth cruise.

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-15 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-16 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Smooth landing in Adelaide.

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-17 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-18 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-19 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-20 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-21 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-22 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-23 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-24 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-25 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-26 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VUZ-1 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-27 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-28 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Unfortunately couldn't have a look at the flight deck this time.

Then the massive walk out or the terminal began.

REX737-8FE-VH-PAG-29 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Rex provide a good service and are highly recommended.
They seem to have adopted a similar business model to Virgin Australia in that a basic service is included in the fare, but anything more is buy on board which is fine for a 1-2 hour flight. I thought the interior of VH-PAG which is an ex Virgin Australia aircraft looked a bit nicer than that of VH-MFM which came from Ket Airways of India.

Great report. Thanks for sharing!

Your photography is phenomenal. Perhaps unintentionally, however - the first set of shots (the Fokker 100, Fokker 50, the Qantas Retrojet, then Saab340s) was an incredible 'throw-back' and yet, beautifully modern. Well done, and please - more, and keep up the great work!

Rajahdhani wrote:

Your photography is phenomenal. Perhaps unintentionally, however - the first set of shots (the Fokker 100, Fokker 50, the Qantas Retrojet, then Saab340s) was an incredible 'throw-back' and yet, beautifully modern. Well done, and please - more, and keep up the great work!

Yes many older models of aircraft like the Fokker 100, SAAB 340 etc have a second life here in Australia once the airlines in the northern hemisphere have finished with them.

Ryan h wrote:

Rajahdhani wrote:

Your photography is phenomenal. Perhaps unintentionally, however - the first set of shots (the Fokker 100, Fokker 50, the Qantas Retrojet, then Saab340s) was an incredible 'throw-back' and yet, beautifully modern. Well done, and please - more, and keep up the great work!

Yes many older models of aircraft like the Fokker 100, SAAB 340 etc have a second life here in Australia once the airlines in the northern hemisphere have finished with them.

I completely get that. Watching SYDspotter's videos, I only barely got a glimpse (and so much modernity, with A350s and 787s aplenty). I applauded the REX 737 order, and have been following how the 717s (at QF) would be replaced. That said, seeing the Fokkers made me want to catch a flight over, and the extremely beautiful gates at ADL (and why can't we have nice things up North?), made me realize my need more 'Straya time. Your photography has been a potent postcard of what I am missing, and not withstanding, highlights why this a true could/should be a spotters/aviation fan's stopover. Once more, a major thank you, and I can't wait to see more!