UPDATED: Footy fans panic as cancelled flights leave matchday plans in doubt, while Qantas & Jetstar reveal AFL Grand Final plans

Footy fans are scrambling to make it to the game on time as cancelled flights leave punters in a state of panic in Adelaide and Melbourne.

QF734 was scheduled to fly a plane load of Port Adelaide fans from the South Australian capital at 12.20pm today but was cancelled because of an engineering issue.

“We understand this disruption is frustrating and apologise to passengers for the inconvenience,” a Qantas spokesperson told Travel Weekly.

“Our teams have worked hard to get footy fans on their way as soon as possible and all customers impacted are due to arrive in Sydney in time for the game.”

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia flight 815 was also cancelled out of Melbourne this morning with passengers sharing their frustrations on social media.

“The day can hopefully only get better,” Mark McCall posted to the Sydney Swans Facebook group.

“7.30 flight out of Melbourne cancelled by Virgin. No reason given.”

Although McCall was offered a 3.30pm flight as a replacement which means he will still make the game – albeit at the loss of some pre-game atmosphere – frustrated at the lack of customer service provided as he faced a choice between an eight-hour wait at the airport, or a return trip home to kill some time.

“Approached the lounge in the hope that we could sit out the 8-hour delay in a bit of comfort, yes we could if we paid $65 each!” he said.

“Not on your life. Virgin will not get another cent out of me ever. The worst airline in the world.”

Qantas and Jetstar add thousands of seats for footy fans headed to Melbourne

Qantas and Jetstar are stepping up to ensure footy fans can make their way to Melbourne next weekend for the AFL finals, adding up to 13 extra flights and as many as 6,000 seats to their schedules.

The carriers are also increasing capacity, using larger aircraft to help keep fares affordable as demand spikes ahead of the finals.

Markus Svensson, CEO of Qantas Domestic, highlighted the importance of giving fans the opportunity to attend the games.

“Our teams are pulling out all stops to get footy fans to Melbourne next weekend,” Svensson said. “These extra flights will help more fans make it to the game. As with all flights, the cheapest seats will sell out first, so fans should get in quick.”

Fares currently start at $270 with Jetstar and $320 with Qantas from Sydney to Melbourne. Brisbane to Melbourne fares are priced from $271 with Jetstar and $419 with Qantas, while Adelaide to Melbourne starts from $381 with Jetstar and $487 with Qantas. Additional flights are being considered depending on demand early next week.

Next Friday, September 27, is shaping up to be one of the busiest days of the year for domestic travel as the AFL finals coincide with the start of school holidays.

Scenarios based on AFL outcomes

• If Sydney wins: Up to 10 additional flights (around 4,000 seats) will be added between Sydney and Melbourne.
  • Qantas will operate eight flights, including one Airbus A330 flight on Friday, two flights on Saturday (one A330 and one Boeing 737), and multiple return flights on Saturday evening and Sunday.
  • Jetstar will operate an additional A320 flight from Sydney to Melbourne on Friday, with a return flight on Sunday.
• If Port Adelaide wins: Six additional flights (more than 1,770 seats) will be added between Adelaide and Melbourne.
  • Qantas will add four flights, including an Airbus A330 on Friday and a Boeing 737 on Saturday, with return flights on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Jetstar will add an extra A321 flight on Friday and a return flight on Sunday.
• If Brisbane beats Geelong: Three extra flights (around 2,000 seats) will be added between Brisbane and Melbourne.
  • Qantas will operate two flights on Saturday morning and one return flight on Sunday.
  • Jetstar also has seats available on flights from Southeast Queensland to Melbourne, including from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Maroochydore.

Both airlines will monitor demand closely and add additional flights as necessary to meet the needs of traveling fans.

Virgin comes to the party in support of AFL Grand Final adding similar additional flights

Late on Friday Virgin Australia announced it would add similar additional flights to help fans get to and from upcoming matches as the official airline partner of the AFL.

For the AFL Grand Final, Virgin Australia will add up to 4,800 seats to and from Melbourne.

As of 1:00pm (AEST) today, fans travelling to the Grand Final from Thursday can find one-way fares from Sydney-Melbourne from $223, Brisbane-Melbourne from $274, and Adelaide-Melbourne from $379.

“The 2024 AFL Finals Series has so far been an incredible spectacle across four states as our men’s season comes to a thrilling conclusion,’ a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

“We understand the scheduling challenges in finals and have been appreciative of our partner Virgin Australia putting on thousands of extra seats for footy fans across the finals and upcoming Grand Final week.”