HAWTHORN'S plans for its preliminary final against Fremantle hit a snag on Wednesday when a flight to Perth was cancelled.

Six Hawks were on the Virgin Australia flight, travelling a day before their teammates ahead of the Friday night match at Domain Stadium.

But an engineering concern meant the flight was cancelled and the Hawks had to board a different plane.

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"Due to an engineering issue Virgin Australia flight VA683 from Melbourne to Perth was cancelled this afternoon," the airline said in a statement.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused however safety is always our number one priority. All guests have been accommodated on later services today."

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Captain Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Jordan Lewis, Jarryd Roughead, Isaac Smith and Jonathon Ceglar were scheduled to depart Melbourne on the flight.

The plane was supposed to leave at 12.30pm AEST, but the players were delayed at the airport until 5.30pm.

Some Hawks players regularly travel a day early to Perth for matches.

It was already a bad day for Hawthorn, with the club ruling out forward Jack Gunston for Friday's match because of his ongoing ankle injury.