Pride Flight: Flying the rainbow flag from Adelaide to Sydney
Partying passengers came out in force for Adelaide’s maiden Pride Flight to Sydney for the world’s largest gay and lesbian event this weekend.
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Adelaide’s inaugural Pride Flight took partying passengers somewhere over the rainbow en route to Sydney for the world’s largest gay and lesbian event this weekend.
Pre-flight revels started at Adelaide Airport’s Gate 15, with drag entertainment courtesy of popular CBD venue Mary’s Poppin, DJ tunes and the chance to walk the red carpet and pose for photos under a colourful canopy.
Flight VA 1975’s manifest consisted entirely of Virgin Australia LGBTQIA+ pilots, crew and allies, with special guests Love+Couture+Madness designer Cristina Tridente, actor/influencer Sarah Jeavons and reality star Alexandra Duggan joining in on the fun with passengers.
The flight was symbolically numbered to represent the year 1975, when South Australia became the first Australian state to decriminalise male homosexuality.
After takeoff at 11.30am, the fun continued at 30,000ft fiercely led by Coco Jumbo – a past contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
Dance anthems We Are Family and I’m Every Woman blasted through the cabin, courtesy of DJ Josh, as drag queens kept the bottomless drinks flowing.
There were no boring announcements on this journey, with the pilots keeping up a stream of cheeky comments and double entendre-laden messages from the cockpit.
On touchdown at Sydney Airport, the Fri-Yay vibe didn’t quit as revellers deplaned to be greeted by a sea of fluttering rainbow flags, sparkling streamers and balloons. Most were headed to a special landing party at The Beresford, with entertainment by Samantha Jade.
“The feeling right across our airports today is electric, and it’s truly special to see so many people from all walks of life celebrating together,” Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said.
The inaugural Adelaide flight was one of four Virgin Australia Pride Flight services, plus a maiden Pride Flight from San Francisco, operated by United Airlines, that winged their way to WorldPride carrying more than 1000 revellers in total on Friday.
Famous faces taking part across the nation included AFL icon Danielle Laidley, Olivia Molly Rogers, Carlotta, Angie Kent, Brodie Townsend and Brooke Warne – daughter of late spin king Shane.
Ms Hrdlicka said the Virgin Australia team had made the special flights - first launched during the pandemic – one of the most recognisable Pride events in the country.
“It’s so important that as a leader in diversity and inclusion, we all continue to spread pride in the communities in which we live, work and fly,’’ Ms Hrdlicka said.
Virgin donated a portion of ticket sales to Minus 18, which helps LGBTQIA+ Australians during young adulthood.
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