Virgin Australia is soaring to fabulous new heights and making the skies even LGBTQ+ friendlier, announcing it will operate a "Pride Flight" from Brisbane to Sydney on Friday March 5, ahead of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the country’s largest annual LGBTQ+ celebration.
Hosted by award-winning Sydney drag royalty and Virgin Australia cabin crew member, Penny Tration, the all-inclusive, COVID-safe flight, will include mid-air drag performances, bottomless beverages, and DJ entertainment. Virgin also promises "rainbows, glitter, and a whole lot of fabulous!"
“Arm doors and cross-check, we’re about to take fabulous flying to a whole new level!” Tration said in a statement to the press. The performer said she looks forward to donning her red uniform and fabulous personality and returning to the skies.
“I’ve been flying with Virgin Australia for 14 years and it’s an honor to show Australia just how proud we are and we’re literally putting the most fabulous flight in the air and I can’t wait,” she added.
“I’m incredibly proud of what Virgin Australia stands for in the community and our inaugural Pride Flight is going to be a unique celebration not to be missed,” said Lisa Burquest, Virgin Australia Group chief people officer.
“A number of our team members identify as LGBTQ+, and we embrace the challenge to not only create an inclusive organization where everyone can be their true self at work, every day, but an organization that is representative of the communities in which we live, work, and fly; the Pride Flight is a testament to that. Pride Flight is about supporting the LGBTQ+ community and we’re going to have a lot of fun with it!”
The service, the first of its kind operated by Virgin Australia, is offering nearly 200 seats via a special webpage.
Virgin Australia is waiving change and cancellation fees for bookings made before April 30, 2021 for travel before January 31, 2022, enabling travellers to book their tickets with confidence.
