Virgin Australia planning ‘pride flight’ for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

There have been scenic flights and flights to nowhere since COVID devastated the aviation industry. Now Virgin Australia has come up with another unique service.

There have been scenic flights and flights to nowhere as airlines navigate the devastating COVID crisis, and now Virgin Australia has scheduled its first “Pride Flight”.

The Brisbane to Sydney service has been scheduled on March 5 to carry people to the Mardi Gras, Australia’s largest annual gay and lesbian celebration.

Included in the cost of the $150 one-way economy tickets, or $350 in business, are bottomless beverages, mid-air drag performances and DJ entertainment.

Virgin Australia Group chief people officer Lisa Burquest said she was proud to lead a company that celebrated diversity and inclusiveness.

“I’m incredibly proud of what Virgin Australia stands for in the community and our inaugural Pride Flight is going to be a unique celebration not to be missed,” said Ms Burquest.

“A number of our team members identify as LGBTQ+, and we embrace the challenge to not only create an inclusive organisation where everyone can be their true self at work, every day, but an organisation that is representative of the communities in which we live, work and fly.”

Penny Tration will host the airline's first Pride Flight next month. Supplied

The flight will be hosted by Sydney drag royalty and Virgin Australia crew member Penny Tration, who said she was looking forward to once again donning the red uniform.

“I’ve been flying with Virgin Australia for 14-years and it’s an honour to show Australia just how proud we are and we’re literally putting the most fabulous flight in the air and I can’t wait,” she said.

Virgin Australia has a long history with the Mardi Gras, having previously sponsored the event in better times.

The one-off flight is the latest in a string of endeavours undertaken by airlines to prop up COVID-ravaged balance sheets.

Last year Qantas conducted a “flight to nowhere” for passengers, taking in some of Australia’s major landmarks, and staged seven scenic flights over Antarctica.

The flying kangaroo has also made money selling off snacks, pyjamas and bar carts to frequent flyers, missing the experience of air travel.

Singapore Airlines has used one of its grounded A380s as a massive “dining car” for guests and Japan’s ANA selected passengers through a lottery for a 90-minute “Hawaiian resort” flight.