Air New Zealand has announced special WorldPride 2023 flights to Sydney from Auckland and San Francisco that will feature entertainment including an inflight drag show by Anita Wigl’it.
The airline said the flights will build on the legacy of its beloved Pink and Party Gras flights that traditionally transported Kiwi revellers to Australia for Pride celebrations.
Flight NZ1903 will depart San Francisco on February 20 at 7:55pm flying direct to Sydney before the next Pride flight departs Auckland on February 24.
The Sydney festival will take place from February 17 through to March 5 and marks the first time WorldPride has been held in the Southern Hemisphere.
Air NZ said the flights will offer "fabulous fashion and plenty of colourful, onboard entertainment".
"Customers on board need to get ready for the trip of a lifetime! Expect silliness, fabulous entertainment and a trip so enjoyable that the journey is just as good as the destination," said RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under star Anita Wigl’it.
In February, 2020 Newshub was onboard as Air NZ relaunched a special flight to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival after axing them for the previous nine years.
The COVID-19 pandemic meant the Party Gras flights couldn’t go ahead in 2021 and 2022, but next year the airline will be hoping their return is triumphant.
"We’re so excited to be putting on these flights to celebrate WorldPride and the diversity of our people and our customers," said Air NZ General Manager Short Haul Jeremy O’Brien.
"The flights are part of our wider mission to tautoko employees and customers who are part of the Rainbow community and advocate for inclusion."
The San Francisco – Sydney flight will be operated on a Boeing 777-300 and tickets for it are only being sold through specific trade partners.
More information is available on the Air NZ website.