The Air New Zealand Pink Flight

We’re on our way to Sydney for the 30th Anniversary of Mardi Gras on a wing and big hair.

On my way to Sydney Mardi Gras I opted for ANZ’s charter Pink Flight for SFO. It looked like fun on the web site, but I had no idea what was in store.

I arrived at SFO after a short hop from LAX. Traipsing from the United terminal required another trip through security at the International terminal. I was greeted by four large drag queens directing people to the flight. The gates in the terminal are a level below the concourse, so you take an escalator down. I could hear the music coming from the gate from the security checkpoint. As I rode down the escalator, I could see the flashing, multi-colored disco lights and see our plane parked outside…a Boeing in a boa.

On stage were three performers doing a Dreamgirls inspired number. The would turn out to be our hosts for the flight…

led by the tall, dark and gorgeous Buckwheat.

After a couple of pink martinis and some hors d’oeuvres were now ready to board our flight and the girls were ready.

We were checked in by none other than Kathy Griffin…

..and boarded the plane which had been decked out in pink. We were given pink swag bags full of pink goodies, and overnight kits with pink, fuzzy eye masks.

Once settled in, they served us Veuve and a pink themed dinner.

Kathy Griffin then did a show over the interphone while standing between the cabins after which we were allowed to finally sleep!

Sunrise somewhere near the International date line was stunning…

and followed by the breakfast of champions, mimosas!

Serving us were some of Air NZ’s cutest and friendliest flight crew. This is the always-smiling Che.

At the beginning of the night, I mentioned to Buckwheat that I loved her earrings. At the end of the flight, she presented them to me as a gift. Here is my friend John modeling them.

Although the flight wasn’t completely full, Air NZ did a bang-up job on the execution. I imagine that word of mouth will fill the flight if they do it again next year. Between Buckwheat and her spectacular cohorts, the fabulous and friendly flight crew, Kathy and her D-List crew, and all the thoughtful and funny extras, it was a flight to remember. Just the sight of 200 some men marching into Australian immigration all holding pink flight attendant bags was worth the price!