‘Legend’: Qantas flight attendant wins over Swifties in viral video

Interstate Aussies en route to Melbourne ahead of Taylor Swift’s concerts got a surprise on this Qantas flight.

Australia has well and truly entered Swiftie mania, with interstate Aussies en route to Melbourne ahead of the first Eras Tour shows down under.

Footage shared on social media shows a Qantas crew member, Paul Pillati, leaning into the hype by leading a singalong of Taylor Swift’s hit Cruel Summer on board a flight from Perth on Thursday.

“Cruel Summer, you know it?” he asked passengers before counting them in.

Mr Pillati then danced as passengers on the plane loudly sang the lyrics.

“I’ve got three daughters and a son, they’re all mad Taylor Swift fans, and so’s my wife. I like her music too,” he told news.com.au, explaining what led to the now viral moment.

“During boarding I was welcoming all the fans, there were heaps on board. We were all just having a bit of banter and everyone was really excited, then just before landing we did the song to start the Taylor-mania.

“The fans had made a big effort travelling from Perth. It was really lovely. One of them even gave me a Swiftie friendship bracelet, which I’ll definitely keep wearing.”

Qantas crew member, Paul Pillati, led a singalong of Taylor Swift’s hit Cruel Summer on a flight from Perth to Melbourne.

Fans have labelled him a ‘legend’ after the video was shared on social media.

The video was shared by Melbourne journalist Jacqueline Felgate on Instagram, with two of Mr Pillati’s daughters, who are in their 20s, taking to the comments to celebrate their dad.

“Just dad being dad!!!!!!” one wrote, while his other daughter said, “GO DAD !!!”.

Others said Mr Pillati was an icon and legend, and wished he was on their flight.

“Have been on many flights and never experienced anything like that. What a fantastic flight attendant, would have loved to be on that flight,” wrote one woman.

“What a king. If he was my dad I’d be so proud,” said another.

“So great to see someone loving their job,” a third added.

“Paul has always been about the customers, gives 110 per cent every time to bring smiles and memorable experiences to all,” penned another traveller.

The video was also shared on TikTik by Mr Pillati’s daughter Caitlin.

“Why did that make me cry! I love Swifties so much,” wrote one fan.

“I would have been out of my seat so quick dancing,” said another.

Mr Pillati has been with Qantas for 23 years.

A Swiftie on board gave Mr Pillati a friendship bracelet.

Another video shared on TikTok captured a Qantas pilot giving a shout out to Swift fans on board his plane to huge cheers and applause.

“And for all those Taylor Swift fans, we hope you have a wonderful time in Melbourne,” he said.

@sameoldsoph

the best welcome to melbourne, we love you @Qantas 🥹🤍 #erastouraustralia#erastourmelbourne#erastoursydney#erastour#swifttok#aussieswifties

♬ original sound - sophie

In June last year, when tickets went on sale, the national carrier added more than 60 additional flights to Sydney and Melbourne to meet the demand around Swift’s February concert dates.

The airline also changed some New Zealand flights from a Boeing 737 to a larger A330 aircraft to offer more seats.

Earlier this month it added even more flights again with seven extra return flights between Sydney and Brisbane, and Melbourne and Perth, Brisbane and Auckland.

Across Qantas and its budget airline Jetstar, 30 per cent more passengers will fly to Melbourne and Sydney over the concert period compared to the same time last year.