Flight prices reach over $1500 as Dockers lock in grand final spot
Fremantle fans will have to pay at least $1586 to make their way from Perth to the Melbourne next weekend to support their team in the AFL grand final.
Within an hour of the Dockers defeating the Swans 12.11 (83) - 10.11 (71) on Friday, airlines cashed in with additional flights between Perth and Melbourne.
The Dockers are the first team through to the 2026 AFL grand final. Getty Images
Virgin and Qantas have together added 24 new flights to ensure Dockers fans arrive in Melbourne on time to support their fans in the stands at the MCG.
Virgin’s flights alone have opened space for an extra 4000 fans to make the trip, with new flights set to see the airline transport over 30,000 passengers from Perth to Melbourne over grand final weekend.
Additional flights are confirmed from Wednesday morning to the Tuesday after the grand final, giving fans plenty of option to make their way to and from the Victorian capital.
The trip will not be a cheap one for Dockers fans, with return flights leaving in the morning on Thursday and Sunday costing $1586 per person with checked luggage on Virgin.
For fans who want to travel over lunchtime, a return flight with Qantas from Thursday to Sunday will cost $2258 with checked luggage included.
The cheapest evening flight is $1714 return on those same dates with Virgin.
Fans will then also have to sort accommodation for the duration of their stay.
Justin Longmuir felt sorry for the fans who made the trip from Perth to Sydney for the preliminary final on Friday night after learning flight prices had jumped nearly $660 more than they were before that match was locked in.
Many of those flights from Perth to Sydney required a stopover in Adelaide or Brisbane, meaning fans were spending over eight hours on the plane.
Fans will, however, be able to travel directly to Melbourne for the grand final.
There is no denying that the flights will be in high demand after Fremantle’s victory on Friday, with the Hawks or the Lions set to be their opponent.
The Hawks and Lions will battle it out for a spot in the final on Saturday afternoon.
