Virgin and Qantas announce Pride Flights
Mid-air drag shows and bottomless bubbly are just two highlights aboard special Pride Flights announced by Australian carriers.
As the world readies itself for the annual rainbow extravaganza in February 2023, plans to take WorldPride to the sky will see a wave of members of LGBTQI+ community touchdown in Sydney for the biggest Mardi Gras celebration yet.
Thanks to a network of special flights operated by Qantas and Virgin Australia, revellers will be able to kickstart the party early with on-board entertainment ranging from in-flight drag shows to bottomless beverages.
Qantas’ first ever WorldPride flight will transport customers from Los Angeles to Sydney on February 22. Travellers will enjoy limited edition ‘Rainbow Roo’ pyjamas, live in-flight entertainment hosted by Australian comedian Joel Creasey and a menu curated by chef and Qantas Director of Food, Beverage and Service Neil Perry. Travellers will also be gifted a general admission ticket to the festival’s sold out Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert, which will feature a performance by Australian popstar Kylie Minogue.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the Australian national carrier was proud to continue its work as a champion for diversity and the LGBTQI+ community.
“Supporting the LGBTQI+ community is part of the Qantas spirit and this flight will be operated by members of the Qantas Illuminate network, a community for Qantas LGBTQI+ employee and their allies,” he said.
Sydney WorldPride CEO Kate Wickett said the Qantas WorldPride flight will make it easy for visitors from the US to travel to Sydney for the festival.
“I can’t think of a more dazzling or glamorous way to arrive in Sydney than on this incredible WorldPride flight. The US is by far the biggest market for international visitors coming to Sydney for WorldPride and we’re excited that Qantas is helping our guests arrive in fabulous style,” she said.
Virgin’s first-ever international pride flight, operated by United Airlines from San Francisco, will touch down in Sydney on February 24.
Virgin Australia flights will be hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under stars Coco Jumbo, Karen From Finance, Kween Kong and Maxi Shield, along with some of Australia’s leading drag talent Barbie Q, Penny Tration, Philmah Bocks, Sexy Galexy and Tora Hymen.
Domestic flights from Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will also be available, with pre-departure parties hosted by local LGBTQI+ venues in each state, including Sircuit in Melbourne and Perth’s Connections Nightclub.
Upon landing, guests will make their way to Sydney’s The Beresford in Surry Hills, where complimentary drinks will be flowing for the official Pride Flight landing party.
Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said they have doubled their Pride Flight services since last year and have introduced pre-and-post-flight parties to keep spirits high.
“We’re excited to once again be flying even more guests in ‘Pride style’ to Australia’s largest gay and lesbian celebration in February.”
Tickets for both Virgin and Qantas’ pride flights are on sale now.
Sydney WorldPride will take place from February 17 to March 5, 2023.