Virgin Is Bringing Back Its Boozy Pride Flights with Drag, DJs and Bottomless Drinks for Mardi Gras

After first taking off in 2021, Virgin's Sydney-bound pride flights will depart from both Brisbane and Melbourne — just in time for the last weekend of Mardi Gras.
Ben Hansen and Sarah Ward
February 02, 2022

If the beginning of your year is always all about Mardi Gras but you live in Brisbane or Melbourne, you're likely currently considering a trip to Sydney across the end of February and beginning of March. Here's something that might sweeten the deal: as it first did from Brisbane in 2021, Virgin Australia is running glitter-filled flights from both the Queensland and Victorian capitals that'll be full of drag and DJs — and bottomless drinks.

The pride flights are one-way legs from to Sydney that will include those non-stop beverages, DJs spinning classic pride tunes, pride flags a-waving constantly, and mid-air drag performances hosted by Ru Paul's Drag Race Down Under stars Maxi Shield and Coco Jumbo. As you would expect, passengers will also be travelling on Virgin's most bright and colourful aircrafts, which'll be decked out in glitter and rainbows.

After pre-departure parties (because this fabulous trip starts at the airport), the flights will leave from both cities around lunchtime on Friday, March 4, just in time for the final weekend of Mardi Gras 2022, including the parade — which'll be hosted at the SCG again this year to abide by COVID-19 restrictions. An array of parties, talks and performances are all also scheduled for the first weekend of March. Check out Mardi Gras' full program at its website.

Tickets for the flight went on sale today, Wednesday, February 2, and are sure to be snatched up quickly. An economy seat on the flight will set you back $150 one-way or you can upgrade to business for $399. Whichever you opt for, $30 from the sale of each ticket will be donated to Australian charity Minus18, which works to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth.

The one caveat: passengers will have to organise their own far less glitter-filled flight home following the weekend's celebrations.

Of course, Sydneysiders wanting to experience the one-off flight can also head up to Brisbane or Melbourne prior to the Friday event, then use the pride flight to return home.

Virgin Australia's Pride Flight will fly from both Brisbane and Melbourne to Sydney on Friday, March 4. Tickets are on sale now from the Virgin Australia website.

Published on February 02, 2022 by Ben Hansen
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