First ever Virgin AFL Flight 17/3, SYD-MEL - Books into FLEX

[AIRwin]

Fan Flight vs Points Plane

AFL Fan Flight | Virgin Australia

www.virginaustralia.com

Happy St Patrick's Day!

 

[ozstamps]

Brilliant heads up -- many thanks.

Almost scanned right over it - perhaps Mods might add DATE to heading - Thursday March 17?

Just booked this - books into FLEX at $139, so 50 SC a person it seems one way?

Cabin seems about half empty .. maybe Virgin will do a PR blast on it soon? Odd .. thought this would attract a lot of interest being their first one. All Exit row seats were available.

Clicking the Link defaults to the midday flight, ASSUME that is the AFL flight?

There is nothing from Virgin yet as to how one gets the AFL entry tickets, or if any Bus transport is part of it .. probably not, for a 1.30pm arriving fight, and match starts 7.25pm, but who knows.

 

[AIRwin]

Just booked this - books into FLEX at $139, so 50 SC a person it seems one way?

Or 23400 points for Flex... Hope you end up on the aircraft with new seats!

 

[ozstamps]

For barely an hour flight not really bothered on plane config.

The 100 SC one way will be handy tho .. will requalify for Plat by May now! And flight back is in CHOICE and only $95, so raining Status Credits.

I think AFL entry tickets are about $50 or so a person, so included in the $139 is amazing - and assume that being an AFL main sponsor, Virgin will be allocated a decent location block of tickets?

Anyway a great tip --- any if other AFF members are booking, let me know - we can have dinner downtown before the match!

 

[AIRwin]

Another tip - BYO gloves if you don't want to share in case you get to hold the Premiership Cup for a photo opp...

 

[Bundy Bear]

The AFL flight is the Thursday 17 March: the season starts on the Wednesday 16 March night Grand final replay, Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs.

 

[jase05]

For barely an hour flight not really bothered on plane config.

The 100 SC one way will be handy tho .. will requalify for Plat by May now! And flight back is in CHOICE and only $95, so raining Status Credits.

I think AFL entry tickets are about $50 or so a person, so included in the $139 is amazing - and assume that being an AFL main sponsor, Virgin will be allocated a decent location block of tickets?

Anyway a great tip --- any if other AFF members are booking, let me know - we can have dinner downtown before the match!

$27 for GA tickets.
Not too many bad seats but with Carlton and Richmond members being of large numbers the majority of decent seats will be taken. Normally for things like this the seats would be in the SK Warne stand (previously the Great Southern Stand)

 

[ozstamps]

Plus the few buck Ticketek gouge of course for tickets!

Virgin are a major AFL sponsor as we know, so may well have secured a block of 100 especially decent seats, one never knows with these Corporate things.

I went to a similar United Airlines sporting thing once, that they were major sponsors of - Basketball and the seats were absolute front row.

Anyway a fun sounding evening at minimal cost and 160 SC.

Oddly that same $139 flight VA838 shows as $599 a person on website.

 

[ozstamps]

Brilliant heads up -- many thanks.

Almost scanned right over it - perhaps Mods might add DATE to heading - Thursday March 17?

Just booked this - books into FLEX at $139, so 50 SC a person it seems one way?

Cabin seems about half empty .. maybe Virgin will do a PR blast on it soon? Maybe they are media seats blocked off etc? Odd .. thought this would attract a lot of interest being their first one. All Exit row seats were available.

Clicking the Link defaults to the midday flight, ASSUME that is the AFL flight?

There is nothing from Virgin yet as to how one gets the AFL entry tickets, or if any Bus transport is part of it .. probably not, for a 1.30pm arriving fight, and match starts 7.25pm, but who knows.

 

[ozstamps]

As the fare is in FLEX it is only a few 1000 points to upgrade to Biz, and thought it worth a try, but looking at Expert Flyer the entire flight is zeroed out in all classes, despite the apparent availability to book it on website above? Strange.

One CAN book a reward coach seat for 100,000 points tho!

 

[jase05]

Plus the few buck Ticketek gouge of course for tickets!

Virgin are a major AFL sponsor as we know, so may well have secured a block of 100 especially decent seats, one never knows with these Corporate things.

I went to a similar United Airlines sporting thing once, that they were major sponsors of - Basketball and the seats were absolute front row.

Anyway a fun sounding evening at minimal cost and 160 SC.

Oddly that same $139 flight VA838 shows as $599 a person on website.

I’d say the seats will be good but the really good ones are taken by members of clubs who have paid $1000+ for the year. I’d be very shocked if VA got the really good seating. We have corporate suites that I’ve been too several times and the VA suite was only a couple of suites around from us but they obviously have a limited capacity.
Pretty good initiative from VA though and should be a good day, you wouldn’t catch me at that game for quids though

 

[ozstamps]

As a died in the wool Sydney Swans fan it would not be my first game pick either!

The actual MCG seats really do not bother me, but sometimes the airlines pull off some pretty cool things that are not even advised upfront. Probably a few media on this one as Freebies, so the companies do lay it on at times.

For any Sydneysider it would make a pretty cheap same day Status Credit run, even if they never went near the MCG!

Being Flex - totally cancellable if needed. Shame the dates cannot be changed at no fee!

 

[AIRwin]

Media release today:

Virgin Australia AFL Fan Flight touches down for season launch

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[ozstamps]

Good timing -- well spotted on that PR release.

• Virgin Australia’s ‘AFL Fan Flight’ will take to the sky on Thursday March 17, 2022 with AFL legend Kevin Sheedy and Carlton great Anthony Koutoufides hosting Carlton and Richmond fans on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne, destined for the blockbuster round 1 clash at the MCG.
• 
  
• 2022 will mark the first time Virgin Australia has operated an AFL themed Fan Flight
• 
  
• The ultimate footy themed flight includes free AFL merchandise, photo opportunities with the 2022 AFL Premiership Cup, mid-flight footy food, face-painting, buskers and even a banner.
• 
  
• Richmond legend Kevin Sheedy and Carlton premiership hero Anthony Koutoufides have encouraged fans to jump onboard, promising footy fun for the whole family.
• 
  
• Limited AFL Fan Flight seats are now on sale with set price Business and Economy fares available to book at AFL Fan Flight
• 
  
• Virgin Australia customers can book AFL Fan Flight tickets now and pay later with Zip at check out, with no upfront payment and no surcharge. Fees apply^^.
• 
  
• Change and cancellation fees waived^

Virgin Australia will take footy fandom to new heights next month, with the AFL’s official airline announcing the first ever AFL Fan Flight from Sydney to Melbourne, ahead of the round 1 blockbuster between staunch rivals Carlton and Richmond.

With crowds back and footy fever captivating the nation, the AFL Fan Flight promises to be the most fun-filled flight for die-hard fans. The Virgin Australia AFL Fan Flight will depart Sydney bound for Melbourne on 17 March, 2022 - with tickets now on sale at AFL Fan Flight.

Hosted by AFL Legend and 3-time Richmond premiership player Kevin Sheedy and Carlton premiership hero Anthony Koutoufides, and with 8 VFL/AFL premierships and more than 1200 games between them, there’ll be no shortage of tall stories, banter and unforgettable moments.

This year’s holy grail, the 2022 AFL Premiership Cup will take pride of place in business class seat 1A – with photo opportunities available for fans.

The all-inclusive flight will include pre-flight footy themed entertainment, AFL star appearances, mid-air footy banter, theme songs, face-painting, buskers, a footy banner, 2022 AFL Premiership Cup, free AFL club merchandise and even a pie with sauce.

Seats are expected to sell-out fast, with one-way Economy tickets $139* and Business Class tickets $399*.

Virgin Australia Group Chief Marketing Officer, Libby Minogue said this is the ultimate footy experience for any true-blue Carlton or Richmond fan.

“Every year, we are fortunate to fly AFL fans, players, coaches and staff to games in every corner of the nation and we could not miss the opportunity to ring in the new AFL season by taking footy fever to new heights.

“Virgin Australia is incredibly proud to be the official airline of the Australian Football League and we are as excited as anyone to kick-off the new season with the inaugural AFL Fan Flight,” said Ms Minogue.

AFL Legend and Fan Flight host Kevin Sheedy said he can’t wait to give Carlton and Richmond fans a footy experience they’ll never forget.

“I’ve been flying with Virgin Australia for more than two decades and it’s an honour to be part of this marvellous initiative to take footy fever to new heights,” said Sheedy.

Two-time Carlton All Australian and MVP, Anthony Koutoufides stole a famous line from the great Bruce McAvaney, claiming, “this flight will be SPECIAL!”

“I’m calling on all Blue Baggers based in Sydney to show your true colours and jump on-board the first ever Virgin Australia AFL Fan Flight, we have to outnumber the Tiger fans,” laughed Koutoufides..

For more information and to book, visit: AFL Fan Flight

 

[AIRwin]

Looks like Business class is now sold out...

 

[ozstamps]

At least one Biz Class seat is unpaid.

This year’s holy grail, the 2022 AFL Premiership Cup will take pride of place in business class seat 1A – with photo opportunities available for fans.

 

[AIRwin]

Economy seats still available...

 

[ozstamps]

Yes strange cabin looks half full and flight only 24 hours away.

Virgin are selling VA838 now as a regular flight at normal looking prices.

So a handful of folks will board having no idea what the AFL players and meat pies and stuff is all about. If they get handed free footy tickets, they'll be even happier.

Anyone else from AFF booked on this one?

 

[AIRwin]

Yes strange cabin looks half full and flight only 24 hours away.

Looks like it's the aircraft (VH-IWQ) with the new seats (no row 12)...

 

[ozstamps]

Well spotted re no row 11.

Have not been on the new layout .... is row 13 the best exit row option from those who have flown it? Could not get 2 seats together in row 3 when I booked so those seemed best. And no-one in the row before or after right now.