Three Virgin Australia “pride flights” will once again hit the runway ahead of the 2024 Sydney Mardi Gras.
It’s the fourth consecutive year the flights have operated and there are more than 500 seats available to be booked across three key flights into Sydney on Friday, March 1.
VA1978 is the Melbourne to Sydney route. Its flight number pays hommage to the 78ers who participated in the first Mardi Gras back in 1978.
Meanwhile, VA2017 is the Brisbane to Sydney route and its flight number commemorates the year same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia.
Brisbane nightclub Fluffy and Melbourne club Sircuit will provide entertainment on the ground for their respective cities, while guests will be entertained by RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under stars, DJs and celebrities in the air. The $269 one-way economy tickets include access to the official pride flight landing party at The Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills.
Details are still to be announced but Virgin has also confirmed it will again partner with United Airlines to operate a third pride flight from San Francisco that will touch down in Sydney on March 1. The international flight is similar to the one Qantas operated for WorldPride – a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney.
“We are really proud to have created a legacy event in Pride Flight that not only our team look forward to each year, but one that is now celebrated widely across the country,” said Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.
“It really is one of the highlights on our annual events calendar and next year Pride Flight will be just as full of life, love and colour.”
Qantas confirmed to Gay Sydney News that it was still finalising its plans for Mardi Gras 2024.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
