‘Read the room’: Eddie McGuire pulls out flamethrower

TV mogul Eddie McGuire has taken Australia’s airlines to school after a social media backlash against a tone deaf move.

Eddie McGuire has taken Qantas and Virgin Australia to public relations school over the airlines’ price gouge on flights for AFL finals this weekend.

The national airlines have been widely criticised over skyrocketing ticket prices to get Carlton fans to Brisbane for the club’s preliminary final against the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.

The Blues’ nailbiting two-point victory against Melbourne in front of a crowd of 96,000 spectators put the club into the preliminary finals for the first time since 2000.

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Tickets for the Saturday evening match have sold out, but now some Victorian fans are scrambling to work out how to get to the Sunshine State.

Fans react as Patrick Cripps of the Blues celebrates. Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

One Virgin service from Melbourne to Brisbane scheduled for Saturday was listed at $855 one way for an economy fare.

Qantas has also listed one flight from Melbourne to Brisbane at $875 one-way on an economy fare on Saturday.

McGuire on Monday said the airlines had missed an opportunity to restore good faith with Australian travellers. Qantas is in crisis over a rise in customer dissatisfaction over increased costs and flight delays.

“Do they not read the room at all any of these people?” McGuire said on the Eddie and Jimmy podcast.

“Kerry Packer was closer to the common man than anyone I knew outside of Lindsey Fox, they’ve got more money than God.

“Virgin sponsors the game and Qantas is chaired by the chair of the AFL (Richard Goyder), and (it’s) the first thing they do, instead of saying, ‘We’re going to put on five charter planes from Melbourne leaving at these hours to get the Carlton supporters up there’.”

Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel also said it would have been “smart” for the airlines to make a public act of goodwill.

“When do you think they’ve read the room?” Bartel said.

“Surprise, surprise, millionaire executives are out of touch with the common man. It’s not a new thing.

“That would be the smart thing to do. That would be good public relations and good for your public image.

“(Instead) you’re going to get an over-charged flight, your bag might get there, it might not, and your flight might get cancelled on your way home. Good luck people.”

If Carlton can defeat the Lions in Brisbane next weekend, it will be into a first grand final since 1999 and have a shot at a first flag since back in 1995.

Qantas and Virgin have both put on one extra flight to meet the demand.

“To help get fans to and from the upcoming preliminary final in Brisbane between Carlton and the Lions, we have put on one additional return Melbourne to Brisbane flight next weekend,” a Virgin Australia spokesman said, according to The Herald Sun.

Eddie everywhere. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos.

A Qantas spokesperson said on Saturday: “Qantas has already added one extra flight to help more fans get to the clash. Both Qantas and Jetstar will continue to monitor demand for flights closely over the weekend and will schedule additional services if needed.

“As is always the case, the lowest fares on each airline sell the quickest.”

It has not gone unnoticed that AFL boss Richard Goyder also remains chairman of the board at Qantas.

Pressure has been building on the AFL commissioner after Qantas’ former chief executive Alan Joyce last week announced his decision to step down early.

It was followed by reports there is support among AFL clubs for David Koch to replace Goyder at the top of the game.

While predictable, the price rise from Qantas and Virgin, the AFL’s official airline partner, still caused anger from fans.

Code Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy posted on Twitter: “One of my favourite times of the year: Melbourne footy fans learning how expensive airfares are when they don’t play at the MCG or Marvel Stadium every second weekend.

“It’s extortionate. And surprisingly not just because Carlton are playing in Brisbane.”

Collingwood will host the Giants at the MCG from 7.50pm on Friday night in the other preliminary final.

Originally published as ‘Read the room’: Eddie McGuire pulls out flamethrower