Football fans are shelling out huge amounts of money just to get to the AFL grand final, while the biggest game of the year faces a transport crisis because two non-Victorian teams are playing.
Now that the Brisbane Lions have booked their place in the decider against the Sydney Swans, airports are in chaos as thousands of football fans try to get to the game on the same weekend that the national school holidays conclude.
Swans fans are being charged up to $1700 for a one-way ticket to Melbourne to support their club, while Brisbane Lions supporters are paying up to $3391 to get to the MCG.
And they could rise further as demand for tickets increases.
A huge crowd of Sydney fans is expected to descend on Melbourne for the AFL grand final.
The Brisbane Lions complicated travel arrangements when they booked the other AFL grand final spot, making it a thoroughly un-Victorian affair.
Those prices were for premium business class options available at the best times, but the inflated prices still leave many football fans feeling the pinch.
“It’s cheaper to go to Europe alone and that’s a fact,” one posted.
“Get 10 of your friends together and hire a private jet, it will be cheaper,” commented another.
“For that price you would just drive,” added another.
Others pointed to the coincidence of school holidays and two interstate teams in the AFL grand final as having created the crisis.
“Same story every year. Should Qantas fly for free? You get the same prices when you’re going to a big event or when flights are almost full. Not every seat is a bargain fare,” one fan posted.
“Grand finale plus school holidays, total chaos and there will probably be cancellations so best to get together and drive there if you’re that interested,” added another.
Those wanting a premium experience in Qantas’ business class cabin were met with exorbitant fares for flights to Melbourne for the grand final.
Fortunately for football fans still looking for flights, there are affordable options available, especially with AFL sponsor Virgin adding 2,600 seats to help transport people to the big game.
Brisbane Lions fans had a wide range of options available to them from 2pm on Tuesday afternoon.
For those who wanted to travel to Melbourne on Friday and return on Sunday for work, there were several options available.
Virgin was offering flights to Melbourne on Friday from $359.99 with business class options available for $830.99.
For those who needed to get back quickly to be ready for work on Monday, flights were available for $359.99.
Lions fans who booked quickly on Tuesday and traveled light were able to score return tickets for just over $700.
There were plenty of affordable flights available on Tuesday with AFL sponsor Virgin.
There were plenty of options available, too, with nearly 70 scheduled flights ranging from early morning to evening flights for those coming straight from work.
These flights were very competitive, considering you would pay $350 for a flight to Melbourne on the following Friday, outside of school holidays and without any major events.
In fact, many flights departing on Friday, October 4 were priced considerably higher, costing nearly $1,000.
Those choosing national carrier Qantas were able to access flights to Melbourne from Brisbane available for $660 on Tuesday, but few seats remained available.
However, budget airline Jetstar had limited seats available from $493 on Friday and round-trip tickets on Sunday from $587.
This compares favorably with flights the following week, which started at $356 on Friday, although the return trip would be much cheaper on October 6 with flights starting at just $157.
Those who have the luxury of flying early in the week can grab a bargain, with flights starting from just $140 on Wednesday, September 24.
For those wanting to spend a little more time in Melbourne, return flights were available from $184 on Monday and $190 Tuesday to Thursday.
Budget airline Jetstar also offered a range of affordable fares, but flights were filling up quickly as of Tuesday afternoon.
Sydney Swans fans looking to fly with Qantas had the option of flights to Melbourne on Friday 27 September from $508 and return journeys on Sunday from $590.
Trips the following weekend on the same days would cost $320 for a one-way flight and $260 for a return flight on Sunday.
A single seat on Jetstar was available for $411 for travel on Friday, but tickets at other times were priced at $473. There were also several round-trip tickets available for Sunday for $327.
Virgin passengers could travel in economy class for $474 on Friday, but Swans fans had fewer options than Brisbane supporters, with only about 33 flights with tickets available.
If you were willing to go home on Sunday night, there were still tickets available for $474.
It is important to note that these flights were selling out and prices were changing in real time as flights filled up. Therefore, with school holidays coming to an end and the AFL Grand Final generating increased demand, it is not recommended to wait until the last minute.