It's set to be a bumper holiday season for the NSW visitor economy, with Sydney Airport forecasting 5.84 million passengers will travel through its terminals from 12 December 2025 to 26 January 2026. 

This is up three per cent on the same period last year, driven by record international demand.

International travel will set a new benchmark, with 2.70 million passengers expected through the T1 International Terminal. The forecast reflects strong demand across key markets and surpasses last year’s record 2.53 million international passengers, an increase of 6.5 per cent.

Domestically, 3.14 million passengers are forecast across the T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals. The peak day for domestic travel will be 12 December, with more than 80,500 passengers expected.

Virgin capacity up three per cent

Virgin Australia will welcome millions of travellers this summer, with more than 19,000 flights and 3.2 million seats scheduled over the 2025 Christmas school holiday period (15 December 2025 – 26 January 2026).

Capacity across Virgin Australia’s network is up three per cent on the same period last year.

The airline said strong travel demand over the festive season had led to capacity being added across both domestic and short-haul international networks.

The busiest travel days are expected to be 19 December, the four days leading up to Christmas, Boxing Day, 29 December and 2 January.

Virgin Australia said Sydney was on track to be one of the top New Year’s Eve destinations.

The festive season is also shaping up to be a furry special one, with more 40 per cent of the total Pets in Cabin bookings on Virgin flights falling across the Christmas and New Year period.

A festive onboard dining experience will be on offer to Virgin Australia travellers with a curated holiday menu for Business Class travellers and complimentary festive chocolates for guests seated in Economy.

Menu highlights will include roast turkey with cranberry sauce, served with roasted vegetables. This item will be available from 25–26 December for Business Class guests and for visitors in Virgin Australia lounges across the network.

Qantas unveils Christmas livery

Qantas customers will be treated to a festive flying experience this Christmas, with the Flying Kangaroo unveiling specially decorated Christmas aircraft as it prepares for one of its busiest festive periods on record.

Qantas' festive aircraft have returned to the skies, with customers flying on the QantasLink Q400 'Dasher-8' (VH-84P) or the Qantas Boeing 737 'Roo-dolph' (VH-XZP).

Qantas is also serving traditional Christmas dishes across selected domestic and international lounges and inflight.