LOCATION:

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, UA863/VA8005

WHAT:

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.

WHO:

• Virgin Australia Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka celebrated with guests at Brisbane Airport and made comments (see quote below)
• Pride-goers were fiercely entertained in the air by RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under stars Karen from Finance, Maxi Shield, and Coco Jumbo, along with some of Australia’s beloved local drag talent Barbie Q, Penny Tration, Sexy Galexy and Tora Hymen.

• The flight consisted entirely of Virgin Australia LGBTQIA+ pilots, crew and allies, with the following special guests joining in on the fun:

MELBOURNE FLIGHT

• Brooke Warne, Social personality & daughter of the late, Shane Warne
• Olivia Molly Rogers, Former Miss Universe & social personality
• Sophie Cachia, Social personality & entrepreneur
• Deni Todorovic, Activist & author
• Khanh Ong, TV personality
• Louis Hanson, TikTok personality & presenter
• Paul Versace, Fashion stylist
• Asher Yasbincek, Actress, Heartbreak High
• Gemma Chua-Tran, Actress, Heartbreak High
• Tim Kano, Actor
• Lana Wilkinson, Celebrity stylist
• Samantha Andrew, Social media personality
• Brittney Cutts, Social media personality
• Milo Hartil, Social media personality & performer

BRISBANE FLIGHT

• Alli Simpson, Singer
• Angie Simpson, Mother of Cody & Alli Simpson
• Carlotta, Australian transgender personality and cabaret performer
• Patti Pinkcake, Celebrity influencer
• Angie Kent, Radio host & TV personality

PERTH FLIGHT

• Danielle Laidley, AFL personality
• Donna Leckie, Partner of Danielle Laidley
• Brodie Townsend, Actor, Heartbreak High cast member
• Stuart Aubrey, MLA
• Tommy Blake, Model & content creator

ADELAIDE FLIGHT

• Cristina Tridente, Fashion designer
• Sarah Jeavons, Content creator
• Alexandra Duggan, Winner of The Traitors Aus, content creator

PRIDE FLIGHT LANDING PARTY AT THE BERESFORD

Guests of the Pride Flight services above, plus:

• Samantha Jade - Australian singer, songwriter
• Darcy Vescio - AFLW player
• Richard Reid - TV personality
• Katie Brennan - AFLW player
• Keiynan Lonsdale - Actor
• Donny Gallea - Celebrity stylist
• Max Made - Celebrity make up artist
• Will Gibb - Australian comedian
• Suzan Mutesi - Actress
• Brandon Kilgour - Model
• Brihony Dawson - TV presenter
• Bryn Chapman Paris - Actor

QUOTES:

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.”

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram: @virginaustralia @united
#VirginAustralia #VAPrideFlight #UnitedAirlines