With NSW opening up to Victoria for the first time in 138 days, Sydney Airport decided to go all-out in welcoming the city’s incoming neighbours/rivals to the south.
It was an emotional day with friends and families finally being reunited for the first time in months. To mark the occasion, Qantas and Jetstar did the cutest thing ever by displaying the message “Welcome back VICTORIA, we missed you” beneath every flight from Melbourne on the arrivals boards.
It was a sweet gesture which understandably made at least a few people a bit emotional.
The countdown is on: in just over an hour the first flight will arrive in Sydney from Melbourne! So many families have been waiting for this day. @9NewsSyd @Qantas pic.twitter.com/xl4xrhTglm
— Lauren Tomasi (@LaurenTomasi) November 22, 2020
😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/M3M7uf3tQI
— Genevieve Gannon (@Gen_Gannon) November 23, 2020
The little gesture was the perfect way to match the wholesome mood of this long-awaited day.
In total 26 flights from Melbourne have arrived (or are set to arrive) in Sydney on Monday.
The bulk of those (21, to be exact) are either Qantas or Jetstar flights and will get the cute little message.
But the arrivals board was just one part of the big day.
On top of that, there was a squad of Bondi lifesavers at the airport to greet everyone, and drag queens Coco Jumbo and Penny Tration were also there.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6RlpBHqTE/
It’s the most Sydney welcome anyone from Melbourne could’ve wanted.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6FqU_nYEd/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6A0QgFYT-/
A few airport arrivals actually got into it, while a few more just awkwardly walked past.
A party at Sydney Airport as Victoria is welcomed back! @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/uKrCVkxm6T
— Danica De Giorgio (@DanicaDeGiorgio) November 22, 2020
Whatever, it was fun for the rest of us to watch, at least.
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese also swung by for a quick selfie on his way down to Melbourne.
Welcome reception from @destinationnsw at @SydneyAirport for 1st arrivals from Melbourne- I’m headed to Vic to meet @DanielAndrewsMP and @PeterKhalilMP ✈️ pic.twitter.com/9EI6T3KXix
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 22, 2020
So did Hughsy and Ed Kavalee, who had just come up from Melbourne.
As far as mass, interstate reunions go, the one at Sydney Airport was pretty wholesome.
If I may say personally – as a Sydneysider – and to paraphrase the Qantas arrival boards: Welcome back VICTORIA, we really, really did miss you lot.
