Prices of flights soar as footy fans scramble to book tickets to see interstate finals
Thinking of going interstate to cheer on your team in the footy finals? Unlucky fans who didn’t get in quick enough may have to fork up to double the original price for plane tickets to see their team. Here’s how much flights have gone up.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Footy fans desperate to see their teams play finals interstate are paying hundreds of dollars extra because there are no cheap seats left.
With just one match in Melbourne in round one of the AFL finals and three games interstate, the cost of flying to Perth, Sydney and Brisbane from Melbourne for the games is soaring.
A Virgin economy one way flight from Melbourne to Brisbane on Saturday, September 7 was yesterday priced at $1110.
Tickets were being offered for the same service on Saturday for $195 and the following Saturday for $190. AFL Fans’ Association president Gerry Eeman called on airlines to put on more flights to cater to demand and charge their regular rate to give fans an affordable fare.
“It feels like the airlines lick their lips each year come finals time and the prices go through the roof,’’ he said.
“Fans find it disappointing and some of the prices are outrageous.’’
Ticket prices for a seat from Melbourne to where finals will be played more than doubled within hours of the finals fixture being released on Sunday night.
In a bid to beat the airline price hike, some fans have vowed to drive from Melbourne to Brisbane and Sydney, board buses and even charter their own flights so they don’t miss the action.
>>SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE PRICES
Richmond fanatic Greg Millin, his wife Janette and son Aaron decided to endure an 18½ hour drive to Brisbane rather than pay the “crazy’’ airline prices.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,’’ he said. “We looked at the airline prices after the game on Sunday and said ‘no thanks, we’ll drive’.’’
A Jetstar spokesman said finals was a “busy time for flights” and the cheapest fares get snapped up quickly.
“Our Melbourne to Perth flight next Wednesday is particularly popular and current fares reflect the limited seats remaining,’’ she said.
“Eight in 10 customers travelling on the flight purchased their seats for under $200.”
A Qantas spokesman said hundreds of fares had been booked since Sunday night.
“As is always the case the lower fares sell quickest,” the spokesman said.
Virgin Australia said it would consider more flights: “We’ve already added 75,000 extra seats in September to make sure as many AFL fans as possible can cheer on their team and we’ll continue to review our flight schedule throughout the finals series.”
The airline added that it aimed to provide the best value fares for all of their customers.
“We already have 75,000 seats to Melbourne for the Grand Final week to make sure as many AFL fans as possible can cheer on their team,” a spokeswoman said.
“We’ll continue to review our flight schedule throughout the finals series.”
THE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE
With most cheap tickets sold out on major airlines before finals tickets were released, bus travel is a cheap alternative.
A return bus trip from Melbourne to Sydney will set back fans $263. A return bus ticket to Brisbane will set back fans $658 — though each leg will take 28 hours.
The AFL said Virgin, its official airline, had added more seats to its flight schedule in September “in anticipation of the increased demand”. But Mr Eeman said fans saw that as a business decision rather than a helping hand.
“That is a beneficial commercial decision judging by their prices, there is no charity involved,’’ he said.
The Jarrett family is keen to hit the road to see the battle of the big cats at the Gabba.
Ten of the Richmond-mad clan collectively have 366 years of membership between them, including 81-year-old Dawn Jarrett who has been a member for 62 years.
Her five children and four grandchildren inherited her love of the yellow and black.
“Only bad umpiring can stop us from winning the Grand Final,” she said.
“We’re feeling confident and excited.”
AFL Fans Association vice president — and passionate Tigers supporter — Cheryl Critchey booked $269.08 return flights to Brisbane before this afternoon’s game, hoping to nabbed a seat before prices spiked.
“I was prepared to cop that loss if we didn’t end up playing in Brisbane,” she said.
“Once the siren goes, if your team is playing finals interstate, there will be a lot of people straight on their phone looking for flights.”
Collingwood cheer squad leader Joffa Corfe told the Herald Sun that excitement was high in the Pies’ supporter camp after coming agonisingly close to the ultimate victory last year.
“Finals is such a wonderful thing to be involved in as a supporter — it’s a wonderful celebration of football in September,” he said.
“We missed out by 4 minutes last year which was really heartbreaking and we sort of feel that it should be ours this year.”
MORE: WILL THE PAIN OF 2018 SPUR TIGERS?
WHO WILL PLAY WHERE IN SEPTEMBER?
While the Pies face Geelong at the MCG in the first round of finals, Corfe said the Collingwood faithful were prepared to travel.
“We’re the best travellers in the competition, so playing a final interstate doesn’t worry us one bit,” he said.
“Collingwood has a massive following right throughout Australia, and there will be plenty of supporters in every stadium we play in.”
This weekend’s matches saw the AFL smash its home-and-away record crowd with about 6.9 million fans passing through the gates this season.
HOW MUCH AIRLINES ARE CHARGING FOR FOOTY FINALS
ELIMINATION FINAL
West Coast v Essendon in Perth on Thursday, September 5
One-way airfare on Virgin, 7.15am Thursday: Listed at $366 on Sunday night, but up to $509 earlier today.
Virgin, 9.15am Thursday: $429 (Sunday) to $589 (earlier today).
Qantas, 9.35am Thursday: $411 to $482.
Jetstar, 10.50pm Wednesday: $255 to $499.
ELIMINATION FINAL
GWS v Western Bulldogs in Sydney on Saturday, September 7
One-way airfare on Virgin, 7am Saturday: Listed at $115 on Sunday night but up to $219 earlier today.
Virgin, 8am Saturday: $115 (Sunday) to $289 (earlier today).
Qantas, Saturday; Most fares maintained at $189.
Jetstar, 6am Saturday; $117 (Sunday) to $185 (earlier today).
Other Jetstar flights, Saturday; $151 (Sunday) to $209 (earlier today).
QUALIFYING FINAL
Brisbane Lions v Richmond in Brisbane on Saturday, September 7
One-way airfare on Virgin, 6am Saturday: Listed at $195 on Sunday night but up to $509 earlier today.
Virgin, 9am Saturday: $249 (Sunday) to $569 (earlier today).
Qantas, 8.10am Saturday: $220 (Sunday) to $280 (earlier today).
Jetstar, 8.20am Saturday: $219 (Sunday) to $279 (earlier today).
Jetstar, 10.40am Saturday: $219 (Sunday) to $279 (earlier today).
CHEAPEST RETURN FARES TO EACH GAME
QUALIFYING FINAL
Brisbane Lions v Richmond in Brisbane on Saturday, September 7
Virgin: $708, flying up on Saturday and back on Sunday.
*Some fans are flying to Gold Coast and catching bus to the Gabba.
ELIMINATION FINAL
West Coast v Essendon in Perth on Thursday, September 5
Tiger: $519, Flying across on Thursday and back on Friday
ELIMINATION FINAL
GWS v Western Bulldogs in Sydney on Saturday, September 7
Jetstar: $256, flying up Saturday and back on Sunday
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.