Qantas is planning to offer special sightseeing flights to Antarctica in cooperation with travel company Antarctica Flights starting November.
Australians will soon be able to board a Qantas sightseeing flight that will fly over Antarctica. Starting from November, the airline is partnering up with Antarctica Flights to fly travellers from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to see the frozen continent from up high. Qantas has operated similar flights to Antarctica before, using a Boeing 747 for over 12-hour trip. Since the airline’s fleet of 747s has since been retired, Qantas will now be using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Australia’s flag carrier will provide passengers with drinks and meal services. Passengers will also be able to watch videos about what they can expect to see out of the window. Lecturers will be on board to answer questions and give talks about Antarctica. Starting 3 hours into the flight, travellers will be able to see ice. Many icebergs are to follow. “It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Antarctica in a day,” Antarctica Flights CEO Bas Bosschieter told 7NEWS.
While Australians are banned for the time being to travel internationally due to the country’s coronvirus travel restrictions, this trip is regarded as a domestic flight. “Whilst it is very difficult for Australians to travel overseas at this time, our Antarctica Flights guests will be able to “visit” another continent in a day. There is no passport or luggage needed for an Antarctica Flight, you can even go in board shorts if you wish.”
Though being a once-in-a-lifetime experience, tickets won’t come cheap. Prices will range from AUD 1,199 ($857) to AUD 7,999 ($5,714) for business class. Alongside other health and safety measures, passengers will receive a personal Qantas pack for the flight which includes a disposable face mask, sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.