AFL fans scramble for flights to Melbourne as airlines add more seats

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AFL fans from around the country are scrambling to find affordable flights to Melbourne for the premiership next weekend.

Ahead of the Brisbane Lions' clash against Sydney Swans on September 28 at the MCG, airfares are already skyrocketing in price.

A return trip from Brisbane to Melbourne on Saturday can cost punters up to $1250, while Swans fans heading from Sydney are looking at cheaper fares of about $450.

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Isaac Heeney of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power at The Sydney Cricket Ground on September 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

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Virgin Australia said there had already been a huge spike in bookings for Sydney-Melbourne and Brisbane-Melbourne flights.

At 9am on Sunday, one-way airfares from Virgin were priced at about $223 for Sydneysiders and $350 for fans travelling from Brisbane.

Virgin said it had added 2600 seats to Melbourne for next weekend.

Flights to Melbourne from Brisbane

This includes seven flights between Sydney and Melbourne and eight flights from Brisbane between September 24 and 30.

"Fares booked very close to departure dates and times tend to be higher than the average fare, in line with the reduced number of available seats," Virgin said in a statement.

"This is especially the case around major events like football finals and during peak travel periods like weekends and school holidays when more people want to travel."

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Flights to Melbourne from Sydney

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Meanwhile, Qantas flights to Melbourne from both capital cities are priced at around $419 return.

The carrier, along with Jetstar, said it added an additional 2100 seats after Brisbane's win.

The Lions will face off against the Swans in another chance to take home the premiership after last year's loss against Collingwood.