Purple budgie smugglers and Chekhov on tap as Bonza the ‘bogan airline’ finally takes to the skies

Bonza Airlines staff are known as ‘team legends’ and the names of its aircraft are Bazza, Shazza and Sheila. Photograph: Tony Gough

Purple budgie smugglers, guided meditation podcasts, Anton Chekhov and something called a “snag in a bag” might seem an odd fit for a low-cost airline’s inflight menu and entertainment app, but this eclectic mix says much about Bonza, Australia’s newest carrier.

Bonza took to the skies for the first time on Tuesday, and the airline sought to create a buzz at its Sunshine Coast base to mark what is the first major entrant into Australia’s commercial aviation market in 15 years.