Review of Regional Express flight from Mildura to Melbourne in Economy

Rex Airlines ZL3657 Mildura to Melbourne

Flight details:
Airline: Rex Airlines
Flight: ZL3657 MQL - MEL
Reg: VH-ZLO
Aircraft: SAAB340B
Seat: 4A
Depart Mildura Airport Gate 2: 10:15AM
Arrive Melbourne Terminal 4 Remote bay: 11:35AM
Total time: 1 hour 20 mins

Video: Rex Airlines ZL3657 Mildura to Melbourne

Introduction

This trip report is from April 2024. I had flown to Mildura on Bonza, read trip report - Bonza AB1037 Melbourne to Midura

I would be flying to Melbourne on Regional Express [REX].

Flight Booking

I was originally booked to fly early morning.

and had selected seat while booking. I cancelled the booking and changed to later flight.

PRe-Departure

Prior to departure, I checked for flight online. On the airline website, I provided booking reference, first and last name to access the online check-in feature.

Flight information below

Followed the links

Completed the online check-in within minutes.

Provided email address to receive a copy of boarding pass. I changed seat to 4A for this flight.

Arriving at Airport

I was tired from the previous days walk and travel, slept early and woke up on time to organise my things.  Before leaving chatted with motel owner. 
I had arranged taxi with the same driver for next day. I had informed him regarding my ETD. He sent a replacement driver on time.
I got in the taxi and reached airport in 20 mins. Paid the driver and entered the terminal.

Midura arrivals and departures has separate entrance.

Check-in

Check-in counters are immediately after entering. I didn't have check-in bag, I went to counter to get a boarding pass. I provided drivers license and was issued boarding pass.

There is a small seating area near the check-in to rest.

As I was early, not many passengers were at check-in.

Checked flight schedule, 2 flights departing to Melbourne with a gap of 10mins.

Waiting area behind the glass

Security check

Security check is next to the waiting area, removed laptop and phone for x-ray. Check was done within a minute.

Departure Area

After completing security, I had breakfast and coffee at the airport cafe in the departure area. Cafe had many customers and was busy.

Flight was delayed by 10 minutes. As I finished breakfast, Boarding had started.

Rex Airline VH-ZLO SAAB340B would be operating ZL3657 to Melbourne

Boarding

Boarding for this flight was from gate 2. I joined the queue to board. Showed the boarding pass and was allowed to continue towards aircraft.

Onboard

A short walk and was close to the aircraft, Pilot was on ground to greet passengers. On board, I had selected seat 4A, single seat on port side. Seat is cramped, handbag stored under seat.

Taxi and Departure

As all passengers had boarded door was closed, propellers were started.

Mildura airport view as aircraft turned towards runway.

1 Cabin crew served this flight, She performed safety demonstration and announcements.

Departure

Aircraft taxied to the end of the runway and turned 360 degrees to line up with runway 27.

Qantaslink Dash in view, which would follow Rex to Melbourne.

Rotating from Mildura

Mildura is a agriculture town of Victoria famous for oranges, table grapes and avocados.

SEat Pocket Content

Seat pocket contained Safety card, TrulyAus - inflight magazine and air sickness bag

Cabin service

Crew asked passengers if they would like to have sweet or savoury snack along with tea or coffee. Water was provided.

Crew served passenger from front of cabin

I chose savoury mix with tea.

Cabin view

Seat number, light and air vent.

Saab340B cabin view

Entertainment and Wifi

There is no onboard entertainment on the aircraft, passengers using personal device or watching out of window. WiFi is not available for this aircraft.

Approaching Melbourne

Time passed looking out of the window, being a short flight. Pilot announced descend would be commencing shortly.

View of Melbourne suburbs, Approach was from the North East.

Aircraft landed on runway 27

Taxing past the international terminal

Heading towards Terminal 4

Parked in remote bay

Disembarkation

Aircraft was parked and Crew opened door for disembarkation.

Bus approaching aircraft

Passengers disembarked and boarded the bus

Melbourne Airport Bus Ride

After disembarking, boarded bus for the terminal.

ViDEO: Melbourne Airport Bus Ride

REX Airline VH-ZLO SAAB340B parked

Planespotting

Planespotting from bus

Royal Brunei Boeing 787 for Bandar Seri Begwan

Thai Airways A350-900

China Airlines A350-900

REX Airlines Boeing 737-800

Terminal 4

After alighting from bus, walk through the corridor and reached arrival area. As I wasn't carrying check-in bag, I didn't have to wait to exit the terminal.

Flight was late by few minutes. My hotel check-in was from 2pm, I sat in arrivals area to finish work.

ExiTing Terminal

I exited the terminal after my work was done.

Skybus stop outside the Terminal 4

Video: Walking to Holiday Inn Hotel, Melbourne Airport

I followed the hotel sign

Qantas special livery - VH-ZND was parked for 2 days

Holiday Inn in view

Walking towards the hotel

I had booked hotel near airport as I didn't want to travel to city and then come back next day.

Aircraft, Flight and Route information

REX Airline VH-ZLO SAAB340B operated ZL3657

Video: Rex Airlines ZL3657 Mildura to Melbourne route

Aircraft rotation on day of travel.

Hope you enjoyed this trip report. Thanks for reading.
:)