{
  "id": 8861191,
  "title": "Footy fans filthy as airfares soar ahead of grand final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/footy-fans-filthy-as-airfares-soar-ahead-of-grand-final",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:35:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-21/afl-grand-final-airfares-surge-fans-scramble-for-seats/107177476"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "AFL fans are facing exorbitant airfares to attend Melbourne's Grand Final on Saturday, with return flights from Perth reaching up to $6,000. Despite airlines adding extra flights and thousands of seats, fans are still reporting steep price increases. Fremantle fan John Cooke reported paying $1,900 for a one-way flight from Perth. Brisbane Lions fan Wendy Elson, who has attended over a dozen grand finals, is still without a ticket home as prices have skyrocketed. Airlines, including Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin, have introduced additional services to meet the surge in demand. However, critics argue that airlines are using complex dynamic pricing systems to maximize profits, even employing tactics like charging more to users on Mac computers. The federal government has allocated nearly $40 million to overhaul aviation consumer rights, aiming to provide better protection for passengers.",
  "summary": "Return airfares to Melbourne have hit $6,000 ahead of Saturday's AFL Grand Final as Fremantle and Brisbane fans scramble for seats.",
  "key_points": [
    "AFL fans face $6,000 return flights to Melbourne Grand Final",
    "Airlines add flights, but prices still skyrocket",
    "Federal government allocates $40M for aviation consumer rights"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The soaring airfares for flights to Melbourne ahead of the Grand Final highlight a struggle for fans to afford tickets, with critics arguing airlines are prioritizing profits over passenger fairness.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}