In what has proven to be a very successful celebration from Virgin Australia and Qantas in support of the LGBTQIA+ community, Pride Flights are back for 2023 and in a big way.

Due to demand, Virgin Australia has doubled its Pride Flight services. There’s more than 1,000 seats across five flights, all of which land in Sydney in time for the world’s largest gay and lesbian celebration, Sydney WorldPride, taking place in February.

The dedicated flights operated by Virgin Australia are bound to be packed full of good times thanks to RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under stars, Coco Jumbo, Karen From Finance, Kween Kong, Maxi Shield playing inflight hosts.

United Airlines have also jumped on board and will fly the first ever Pride Flight from San Francisco to Sydney, in partnership with Virgin Australia, which will depart February 22, landing in Sydney on February 24.

Guests boarding Virgin Australia Pride Flights departing Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will be treated to pre-flight departure parties at local LGBTQIA+ venues, mid-air drag performances, bottomless beverages, DJ entertainment and non-stop fun over 30,000 feet in the air. 

From the sale of each Virgin Australia-operated Pride Flight ticket, $30 will be donated to Minus18 an LGBTQIA+ youth charity. 

Across the tarmac, Qantas’ WorldPride Flight from Los Angeles to Sydney will be taking off on February 22. Pack your tablet away, as inflight entertainment has been sorted. Australian comedian Joel Creasy will play host to an array of experiences and there will also be live performances mid-flight. 

For lovers of Qantas’ sleepwear, a limited edition ‘Rainbow Roo’ pyjama set will only be available to passengers onboard the flight. And for the cherry on top, each passenger will be gifted a ticket to Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert, with queer ally Kylie Minogue making a special guest appearance.

Pride flight tickets are now on sale via Virgin Australia and Qantas websites. 

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