Sign welcoming Qantas passengers for Pride Flight, Hugh Sheridan during the flightThis is a great story – a straight man booked a flight home to Sydney, Australia, but didn’t realize it would be a special Qantas WorldPride flight.
In an interview with news.com.au, he shares, “I ended up on the gayest flight ever and I absolutely loved it.”
George Rogers, who’s lived in Sydney for the past six years, realized what lay ahead for him when he checked in for his 13-hour flight to Sydney from LAX.
“I had absolutely no idea it was a WorldPride flight,” Rogers told news.com.au, “It dawned on me when check-in opened, and I saw a lot of ‘colourful’ people and pride flags.”
Qantas created the special flight for LGBTQ folks traveling from the U.S. to Australia for WorldPride taking place from February 17 to March 5.
We took Pride to the skies on the official @Qantas WorldPride Flight from Los Angeles to Sydney!
Qantas is the official Airline Partner for Sydney WorldPride 2023.@sydworldpride @sydneymardigras #SydneyWorldPride pic.twitter.com/tQxPpa3Jrv
— Qantas (@Qantas) February 23, 2023
“After check-in, they took us all into the Qantas First Lounge at LAX,” Rogers explained. “There were drag queens, and they gave me a hat and a rainbow flag and there were free drinks. There were great vibes.”
Prior to take-off, passengers were treated to performances in the lounge by singers Hugh Sheridan and G Flip, and comedian Joel Creasey. Passengers were also treated to a special pride-themed pair of Qantas pajamas for the long flight.
Once airborne, passengers flew friendly skies with performances and drag bingo with Qantas’ resident drag queen, Qantana, as well as Felicity Frickaccino and Vybe.
Years of waiting will come to an end on Saturday, as Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras makes its welcome return to its homeland on Oxford Street. But for Jinny-Jane Smith, this year's Mardi Gras has been even longer in the making.https://t.co/yxNRCqqVJa
— Sydney WorldPride 2023 (@SydWorldPride) February 24, 2023
While Rogers identifies as straight, he considers an ally to the community and was thrilled to be part of the WorldPride flight.
“I’ve been to Mardi Gras in Sydney a few times and it’s always my favorite day of the year,” Rogers told news.com.au. “So what better way to kick off the weekend than with a pride flight to Sydney.”
Ms Minogue headlined the official opening, which also included a number of high-energy local and international acts, including English singer-songwriter Charli XCX, Jessica Mauboy and Western Sydney artist collective House of Slé.https://t.co/ucgsUWAWyy
— Sydney WorldPride 2023 (@SydWorldPride) February 24, 2023
The 17-day event celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community with over 300 free and ticketed events across Sydney.
Over 500,000 participants are expected to take part, including an estimated 78,000 visitors. The official opening was headlined by Aussie superstar Kylie Minogue and sister Dannii Minogue, plus Charli XCX, Western Sydney artist collective House of Slé, and more.