More than 1,000 people partied for pride at 30,000 feet today, with four Virgin Australia Pride Flight services, and one United Airlines service, touching down in Sydney.
The flights featured legendary drag performers and famous faces, ahead of the world’s largest gay and lesbian event this weekend.
Flights from Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth included a pre-flight departure party with drag entertainment by local LGBTQIA+ venues (Connections Nightclub, Mary’s Poppin’, Fluffy and Sircuit), celebrity appearances, mid-air drag performances, bottomless beverages, DJ entertainment, dancing and more.
The airline launched its maiden Pride Flight services from Adelaide and Perth, which joined Pride Flight services from Melbourne and Brisbane, and the first ever Pride Flight from San Francisco, operated by United Airlines in partnership with Virgin Australia.
After landing, Virgin Australia and United Airlines’ Pride Flight ticket holders made their way to the Landing Party at iconic Sydney LGBTQIA+ venue, The Beresford, for a line up of exciting entertainment including an exclusive performance by Australian singer, Samantha Jade.
This year, Virgin Australia is extending the celebration with a Pride Flight Recovery Brunch at Alibi Bar & Dining tomorrow, in partnership with Ovolo Hotels.
Five Pride Flights landed in Sydney today:
- Brisbane to Sydney VA2000 (numbered to represent the year 2000, which played host to the first WorldPride event).
- Melbourne to Sydney VA1978 (numbered to represent the year 1978, when Sydney hosted its first Mardi Gras Parade).
- Adelaide (maiden flight) to Sydney VA1975 (numbered to represent the year 1975, when South Australia became the first Australian state to decriminalise male homosexuality).
- Perth (maiden flight) to Sydney VA2017 (numbered to represent the year 2017, when same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia).
- San Francisco (maiden flight) to Sydney Pride Flight.
Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said, “I’m incredibly proud of the Virgin Australia team from right across the business who have made Pride Flight one of the most recognisable pride events in the country,”.
The Virgin Australia Pride Flight was initially launched during the pandemic and fast forward to today, we have Pride Flight services all over the country, and our very first international Pride Flight from San Francisco with our wonderful partner, United Airlines.
Pride Flight is going from strength to strength and it’s so important that as a leader in diversity and inclusion, we all continue to spread pride in the communities in which we live, work and fly.
Again this year we are partnering with Minus 18 to donate a portion of ticket sales to this very important organisation who helps LGBTQIA+ Australians during young adulthood.
The feeling right across our airports today is electric, and it’s truly special to see so many people from all walks of life celebrating together,” said Ms Hrdlicka.
Speaking of the airline’s partnership with United, Ms Hrdlicka said “Our partnership with United Airlines is incredibly important and it’s so wonderful to witness the collaboration between the airlines, and the joy we have brought our guests in spreading pride right across the Pacific and throughout Australia,” she said.
“As a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community and the leading carrier from the U.S. to Australia, United is thrilled to join the party and help people celebrate the upcoming Pride events in Sydney,” said Lori Augustine, Vice President of Operations for United in San Francisco.
“At United, we recognize, embrace and celebrate the differences that make our customers and employees unique. We’re committed to creating an inclusive work environment while supporting the diverse communities we serve. Our Pride Flight is yet another example of how at United, Good Leads the Way,”.
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