So, I’m considering a trip to the Falkland Islands, and this might just include a 16+ hour flight in economy from an air force base. Have I lost my mind?
Continue reading: Falkland Islands Flights: What An Adventure
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
He's gonna go. 16 hours in economy, an introvert's dream LOL. There'll be some interesting stories among the pax. Interviews!
Air Tanker also operates charters - they have 2 aircraft on lease to Jet2 but they do occasionally pop up elsewhere - they operated for TUI to Dalaman this summer for example
Onboard it's like a pretty normal flight I believe - the crew wear cabin crew uniforms, food is supposed to be rather uninteresting and there is no IFE of any sort. You wouldn't be allowed to take any photos so I'm not sure how much content you'd get out of it! But it'd be a very interesting trip on a personal basis for sure
I think, you shouldn't count "having to visit for at least one week" as being a downside. After being on the Falklands for a week (with LATAM), the main mistake was to leave so early.
There's ton of things to do on the outer islands. Visit Stanley for 1 or 2 days and then take a FIGAS flight to Sea Lion Island, Saunders Island, Bleaker Island, or anything else. Sitting on a remote island surrounded by curious penguins was one of the best travel experiences in my life (probably #1).
With that being said, I'm sure that you will enjoy the AirTanker flight. Before realizing that the destination itself is 10x more interesting than the rare flight adventure.
likely* - I've seen reports online that have the odd photo or two but certainly not in great detail
If I ever do the Falklands Islands this would be my way of doing it. What time of year did you go?
Give it a season or two and GRU flights will come back. Then it will be possible to visit for 3 days again.
Also, there are no chain hotels, you ll have nowhere to stay!!!
I'd be worried that the once weekly flight to Punta Arenas gets cancelled or rescheduled, and you end up spending more than a week despite having suffered through 18 hours in economy.
If you want to do Falkland Islands do it via an Antarctica cruise. You will never regret that.
Every time we meet our friends from Argentina we mock them about their attempt to get the Falklands from the Brits. What a joke!!!!
I would guess that there are probably not more than a couple dozen people on any of those flights.
March 2019, before Covid kicked in. We had mostly great weather and the 3 to 4 month old penguins were very playful.
For the next time I'm thinking about January, when there are those cute baby penguin chicks. Dec. to March is generally best if you want to see penguins.
I have to travel on military transport for work frequently due to my occupation in journalism. I flew in and out of Brize Norton on a Voyager in 2021 and on other aircraft to Camp Bastion for a period of time. Given that it’s a secure military facility, there will be significant inspections and checks before being allowed in and before being allowed to the apron from a holding area. Luxurious amenities for the press included washrooms, chairs, coffee and water. We brought our food in the form of energy bars. Depending on the number of people and proximity to the heat exchanger lines for the engine oil, the hold varied between warm to freezing. However, the civilian service certainly looks significantly nicer than being in the hold of a IL-76 or a C130.
You must go. If there is a debate about not going because it is in economy, then that hurts OMAAT's reputation. Such flight is not regular economy but adventure class. A trip report is required, no backing out now.
Please do it Ben! Would make for the most interesting review.
Also if you are worried about whether you are able to take pictures why don't you just contact the UK government and explain you are a travel blogger and want to document/review the flight purely for leisure purposes and will pay etc and won't take videos or anything and only inside the plane like not at the base or anything - I am sure they would be reasonable and probably enjoy the pubilcitiy as I don't see why it would be a problem.
That does break your no prior contact to an airline to not receive special treatment (which is amazing and why this blog is so popular and great) but I think a special exemption can be made in this case
Here's a review I found online with pictures: https://theworldofaviationblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/02/airtankerraf-rr2232-raf-brize-norton-to-raf-mt-pleasant-on-the-airbus-a330/
Some highlights:
"The food on both legs of the flight was the same, a chicken fajita, served twice per flight."
"Surprisingly, no one objected to me taking photos on the apron of the RAF’s main tanker and transport base. Either that, or anyone who saw was too tired to stop me."
Is it possible to stop over in Ascension for a couple days? That might even be cooler.
I saw a YouTube vid ages ago about the flight and it seems the flights were pretty empty
I'd recommend you visit Torres del Paine in Chile before Falkland Islands, you fly to Punta Arenas to get there anyway. Torres del Paine is among the most spectacular spots on Earth.
Please go... I've always wanted to go to the Falklands so this would be a fascinating read.
Looking at the RAF Brize Norton website, they have an arrivals and departure board, asking with check in info etc. Looks like check in closes "promptly" 3 hours before take off. For a 00:35 departure, check in open 18:30-21:35.
Also a nice little note:
"All passengers are reminded to pack 24hrs with of supplies, clothes, and a sleeping bag in case of delay.."
There are interior pictures on line, although most seem to be off the aircraft operating for JET2, and the video on Airtanker website shows seat back screen, but looks awfully like the fit-out used for TUI.
Strangely Airtanker say the seats are premium economy, but the layout is 2-4-2 on all the pictures I've seen, on Airtanker or anywhere else.
Check out the internal FIGAS flights too. I went in 1998 and did not know you were supposed to book and listen to the radio the night before for your departure time to be confirmed. At the airport there was much moving of string on a map to fit us in and we then had to first fly to Mount Pleasant, then somewhere else with a washing machine in the middle seat between us and finally a third flight to Pebble Island our destination. Ok
When I was a cabin crew member at Lan Chile, back in 2006, I used to fly to the Malvinas sometimes. Mount Pleasant is a very large British air base, and the passengers on the Punta Arenas flight were 90% British military and the rest chilean settlers, the largest foreign colony on the islands.
I have been to the Falkland Islands. It wouldn’t take much more than a few hours to see all of it and that would be stretching it. The tourist thing to do is to send yourself a postcard from there (you can do it for free).
Have you "really" been there or did you visit on a cruise ship?
You can definitely see Stanley in a few hours. For anything else you need to take a FIGAS flight to one of the outer islands ("camps"). And it's definitely worth it.
There's also Volunteer Point which can be reached by car on a day trip, but better when staying overnight. Right next to a king penguin colony
This guys had a report on those AirTanker Jet2 a while ago
https://youtu.be/CO5eYaAW2AQ?si=0mTkkQmULY52Pkmf
Find out how often the flight from london is. You might be able to stop over in ascension if they have multiple flight per week. Time everything so you spend a day or 2 in ascension a day or 2 in the Falklands then fly latam to Bolivia
I was going to visit my best mate who is army just before covid kicked in. I would have loved to have done this flight from the UK. Please please please do it. It has to be an excellent adventure and a must read.
Miramar, I agree with your recommendation.
Ben you should fly from Punta Arenas to the Falkland Islands and then onward to London. Traveling that direction also minimizes time at BZZ and allows you the opportunity to visit some of the excellent LHR T3 lounges before your return home.
Not anything I would do again. I did Military tankers while on Active Duty in the Army, cold, uncomfortable and a miserable experience I would not wish on my enemies.
So Airtanker is a charter airline working for the RAF. Are there any equivalents for other countries. I thought it would be really cool to fly on a c17 or something like that.
We totally get it, that is a long time to be away from Ford and your son. I almost never travel without my wife and daughter for more than 2-3 days. But this is the exception to the rule. As for flying in economy, it is part of the adventure. Think about it: visit a part of Argentina that is incredibly remote (DEFINITELY!), go to the Falklands (ABSOLUTELY!), do a stopover in Ascension (OF COURSE!), fly on a military charter (AWESOME!), get onto a British military base (SUPER COOL!), bragging rights and amazing story (GOTTA DO IT!). If you can't do it, send Ford. If Ford can't do it, send me! Can't wait to read all about it (and be super envious).
The Royal Air Force air tanker flight will put most of the civilian airliners to shame especially on economy service. Just because it is a military flight it does not mean terrible.
Cant speak for these flights but if you’re really up for an adventure you can try St Helena, flights are more regular (2 week soon) but theres a catch and that is its very hard to land there so occasionally flights divert/cancel/do multiple go arounds.
It was actually a lot closer run than the British will ever openly admit. They had a lot of luck on their side.
The past several years while Ascension Island runway was being repaired the flight stopped in Cabo Verde. Now that it is back to Ascension (since May), I am planning a trip. To my regret, I didn't continue on RMS At Helena to Ascension after having visited Tristan da Cunha and St Helena.
Visiting the Falkland Islands might be your only chance to try a Penguin Egg Omelet. Although a bit fishy, it's really a bucket list treat. I understand that the restaurant also serves up Steak and Penguin Pie for the Brits, and Penguin Empanadas for the South Americans. Enjoy!
Once a month there is a flight from Ascension Island to St Helena.
And St Helena has weekly (in their summer, twice weekly) flights to Johannesburg.
Ascension Island is NOT the place to do undeclared hidden city ticketing!
E.g. "There is a public minibus service which operates on Friday and Saturday nights only."
But if the dates work, and as booking involves people rather than an online system, they might be open to your doing: MPN-ASI-HLE-JNB
That way you would only have on long leg in Economy, and you would experience landing in St Helena.
My guess is that Marcos is fluent in Spanish, so the intention was probably "The amazing Malvinas".
Cannot see why anyone would have an issue calling the islands by their local name.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-brize-norton/passenger-information/ is quite something.
I particularly liked:
in the event of delayed departure: "Passengers accommodated within Gateway House will be fed in-flight meals in the dining room."
and
"Group 1 – Military, Civil Servants and Contractors.
Group 2 – Military Families.
Group 3 – Falkland Island Residents and Dependants on discounted tickets.
Group 4 – Passengers on full-fare tickets."
So full-fare is lower priority than discounted!
My Australian sister in law lives at Stanley and when flying to Australia travels via Santiago on the once a week approved flight.
If you need any more information about the Falklands let me know and I will give you her contact details, she's a long time resident.
Its a good service with reasonable leg room in all seats. No booze served and the food is plentiful (if basic) - you can always ask for more.
Biggest issue is getting outbound (google 'gateway hotel' tripadvisor at RAF Brize Norton to see how truly dire the transit accommodation is if things go wrong.
Its a long flight but Ascension breaks it up nicely - make sure you get a passpkort stamp.
Finally its the only fligjt in the world where RAF fighter jets escort you in for landing!
Do it! This is what I come to the blog for. I'd like to see TPG take this flight : )
I visited The Falklands on the way to Antarctica. From Stanley, you can go on jeep safari across the bogs, to the Rockhopper Penguin colony. The Globe Tavern is a traditional British pub great for a pint!
Yeah, but the interior of this plane looks like it's kitted out very much like a civilian aircraft. Agree though, military aircraft are not about passenger comfort.
No Plymouth Gin? The bottle says that for "Almost 200 years, the Royal Navy has never left port without it." Then again, the label also says that at 57% alcohol, it contains the "benchmark strength at which a spirit ignites gunpowder" so perhaps its best on the sea vs. air.
I have flown Air Tanker! BWI-FRA in 2019, opf Condor, G-VYGK. It was a bit cramped, but otherwise fine. Crew were friendly, service was Thomas Cook.
It's not a standard A330, it's an MRTT, fitted for refueling (hence the name), with special internal plumbing. There are also visible attachment points for exterior devices.
Hi Alpha Golf - you’re right that Air Tanker primarily operates the A330-MRT. However, they also have a small fleet of A330-200 for passenger transport, which are not the MRT.
This looks cool. My wife and I travelled to the islands (Las Malvinas) for our 40th wedding anniversary via ferry. Very beautiful and picturesque for nature lovers and photographers. On arrival, we purchased a second hand motorbike and roamed the entirety of the archipelago facilitated by the inter island ferries. Our favourite destination was La Isla Trinidad and its habitat of rockhoppers, whales, seals and so much more!! Las Malvinas are definitely worth a visit!
It's a no-brainer that you have to take this flight. Make it happen, what an adventure. Even if the flight is sub-par, the mere fact that you have taken such a trip is story worthy. Make the inquiry and hopefully go.
This is what I was thinking. Plus, no frequent flyer miles, and the iced coffee will be terrible! 🙂
I have done this flight a few times
Aircraft is never full, on average every time i went most people had at least two seats. Once taken off you could move around for more seats. Twice i had 4 seats so was able to lie down.
Meals are standard aeroplane meals, but no booze.
No entertainment in the seats so take your own.
The stop off for a refuel you tend to stay in a holding area. Sitting outside or under cover. Not like a proper terminal.
Mount pleasant airfield is a military base then for civies you get picked up and taken to Stanley which is a nice place, nice people, good food and sights. Hope that helps
The local name is the Falklands though Mike.
Contrary to some claims, the Islands have never been Argentinian, the population always British.
Hopefully the catering has improved since the time I was down there for some time. It was panini or panini.
The contract normally isn't with the service provider direct as there have been times when it was operated by flyglobespan, air Tahiti and I am sure a few others.
Don't expect too much in the way of excitement checking in or in the departure lounge in Brize Norton and just remember it's not serviced by the best public transport.
If you go, have fun with the locals.
It's a trip I have always wanted to make. Since the age of 10, when I watched the war unfold on the nightly news, it was a big factor in me joining the Army 6 years later when I left school. I never went with the Army. However, it's on my bucket list. The idea of following in the footsteps of 3 Commando brigade and hiking that 60 miles across the island, visiting Goose Green, the war graves, Fitzroy, then ascending Mount Kent, and exploring the rocky barren peaks of Tumbledown, Mount Harriet, etc, all the battle fields, then walking down into Stanley via Moody Brook. Hope you have a great time. I think the time to go is definitely their summer. Good luck.
Glad you had a good time in The Falkland Islands. Are you trying to make a point since they are British, Argentina lost.
Logical if you think about it differently. The flight exists to serve the Military. A secondary consideration is to benefit the local Falkland Island population, way down the bottom of the list of priorities is settling excess capacity to the general public.
I did see from a parliament report from some years ago that the flights are all sold by the military at the same price, but the FI government subsidizes the local price by charging tourists more. I'm also pretty sure that the tourism demand is pretty price insensitive - if you want to go, you'll go whether the price is £1,500 or £2,500.
I’ve been to St. Helena twice … both times before there was an airport. Delightful island!!
This is going to be an amazing trip. Echo what others have said re taking a flight out to Saunders Island (especially cool) or West Point - massive albatross colonies and rockhopper penguins / few king penguins (big ones).
The pilots who fly the smaller planes out to Saunders or similar smaller islands are extremely experienced and well qualified - they're Canadian Rockies pilots in the northern hemisphere summer & it's quite a thrill riding these smaller planes in some serious Falklands wind.
Stanley is a bit of a miss - the rest of the Falklands are incredible
I meant to make no point. I am aware of what I meant to say, but thanks for trying.
Furthermore, I too am British.
You did make a specific point by referring to them as the Malvinas and isla Trinidad. We don’t call them las Malvinas in the U.K. for a reason. I’m sure it would have gone down well there had you used the Spanish name.
I’ve done it twice, many in the military have done it 6-7 times. 16 hour flight sucks! Worse if you take off from Ascension only to get halfway & turn back due to bad weather in MPA.
However, the people there are some of the friendliest on earth, the land & the wild life are simply amazing!
If you get the chance to go… Go!!!
Clearly I hit a nerve. We faced no hostility by referring to the region by the Hispanic names. Our friends and hosts on the islands, who speak Spanish, continue to refer to the islands as such. Contrary to your assumptions, we were warmly received by both communities.
My wife and I left the UK decades ago and any relation to Britain and the British is simply clerical.
Not quite accurate.
The French were the first settlers on the Island and named it after St. Malo. Las Malvinas is derived from the original French name. The "Falklands" were named afterwards. The islands are still recognized by both names by the United Nations and referred to as Las Malvinas by the Spanish. I do not recall the exact years. There is a small museum on the island, which mentions the history. The locals are fine calling it by either name, with some exceptions. The younger generations give a damn.
Since you celebrated your 40th wedding anniversary you will no doubt recall the invasion. Sounds as if you'd have been quite content for the islands (won't offend you by referring to them by their British name) to have not been recaptured by our superlative forces but, ironically, enabling you to have enjoyed a wonderful holiday. Think of those who gave their lives to makes "the islands" what they are today.
I fly BZZ to ASI on the first leg of this trip going onward to MPN frequently.
One 8 hour sector on this all economy A330 is not bad but getting back on for another 8 hours after the 2 hour refuling stop in Ascension feels like it could be tough work. But plenty of MOD personnel and Falklands Island residents do it all the time and survive.
The secret to making it less brutal is to get the whole 4 seat middle row to yourself at check in and sleep.
It's a 00.35 departure from Brize landing Ascension 08.30l.
No at seat entertainment unless the regular RAF grey A330 is out of service and you get the back up white one. Food simple but fine. No alcohol on board or at stop over.
Train to Oxford and S1 bus to Caterton will get you within about 500m of the main gate to RAF Brize Norton where you report to reception for pass and shuttle to the terminal.
Check in opens 6 hours before departure and closes 3 before so lots of waiting around.
Bad weather in the Falklands can cause 24 hr 48 hr or even longer delays in both directions.
On base transit accom for delays very basic if available so back up accom plan in Oxford or surrounding villages sensible.
No transits poss from BZZ on to HLE via ASI and from MPN to HLE via ASI and return only for St Helena residents going to from their home. Tourism or visits to Ascension not allowed unless visiting friends or family there.
Usually about half full but can be crowded if previous flight cancelled or large army personel changover scheduled
It's a civilian flight so no specific restrictions on taking pics seem to be in place
Been seeing this thread for a while so decided to chime in. I was young but recall the war on the telly. Even when young, it made little sense. I felt pity for our boys who fought under the guise of patriotism, to lands that we colonised to exercise superiority of the crown. The situation in the UK was not favourable at the time yet we were spending resources so far from home. Yes, poor souls died, but for little to gain. The difference between the invader or terrorist and the victim is simply the side in which one stands. Also, I’m sure the islands would have thrived and allowed tourism, like today, regardless of us.
I think there's a "little mistake" here. The real name should be "Malvinas" and belongs to Argentina.
Trust me it’s worth it just to fly into ASI. I flew in there in the cockpit of a tri star in the 90s. Crew had me keeping my eyes peeled for feral donkeys, but of a hazard on the runway! You should try staying there for a few days the island is magical!
I've just completed the round trip to the Falklands and back in under a week. I was there to work and found the experience exhausting (as you would expect) my last trip was 18yrs ago and on a 216Sqn TriStar. I thought the service was outstanding for the whole trip: i'm no stranger to the Falklands and it is a place everyone should have on their bucket list.
It’s a military flight that on the main carries military personal to and from MPA. It’s flown by RAF Aircrew and although on the civil register is a military aircraft, a complicated contract that saves money.
Ascension is awesome if you get to stay, it’s been awhile since I flew the route but for many years the runway at Ascension was out of service so it refuelled in the Azores.
' Just outside of London's is a bit optimistic! It is 70 odd miles from London. Oxford is closer - about 12 miles away.
The local name is Falklands. The people born and raised there have only ever called it so.
Do you think being an advocate for Argentinian fascists is virtuous?
No Argentinians ever lived there historically. It was ceded to UK by Spain after another spanking some time ago. It belongs to the people who actually live there, and have free will as to who governs them. Currently- themselves
The Falklands Airbridge is operated almost exclusively by the Civilian side of Air Tanker with both cabin & flight crew being civilian (although the pilots are generally RAF reserves too). RAF crew operate the military registered Voyager aircraft with the civilians operating the G reg aircraft. The aircraft normally used has a 34-35in seat pitch. Meal service is old fashioned economy with no alcohol served.
You may have a British passport possibly by default only but you are obviously not English.
I am an ex Royal Navy Veteran and served on HMS Hermes during the Falklands War. Its on my bucket list to visit the Falklands as I didn't get to go ashore there. Being a part of the UK I find the whole process of trying to visit just to much Red Tape, cloak and dagger stuff in other words to complicated. After over 40 years since the Islands who wanted to remain British were Liberated I can't understand why there is no easy way to visit. Looked at SAMA etc.. To long winded for me.
1985 - VC10 to Ascension Island then 13 hours in a RAF Hercules transport aircraft to RAF Stanley including a tactical landing onto the runway matting. 216 Sqn which I served on at RAF Brize Norton operated the Tristar on the Mount Pleasant route also.
Make sure you are prepared for delays. When my sister went to serve, they were delayed 96 hours!
You can find updates on the flights here: https://www.facebook.com/fictravelairbridge/?locale=en_GB
Delayes are very common and they ended up stopping in the Azores.
Don't talk about it just do it. I went out via Punta Arenas and a great adventure. Sea Lion Island etc a must. Take min 10 days on Falklands. Come back RAF and if possible stop over Ascension.
Spent 4 months deployment there and was lucky to be able to get a return flight for my wife for a 2 week stay we both found the islands fantastic lots to see we also had an overnight stay in Port Stanley the rest of the time we stayed in my accommodation at MPA I was lucky I was paid to be there I would like to go back fantastic Islands lovely people and lots to see (land rover a must) I would recommend anyone if you have the chance to go to the Falkland Islands go you will not be disappointed
You definitely should go, I sailed down on the SS Uganda in 1985 on its final voyage, it was a great tour on Bombilla Rebro, did a few battlefield tours and also visited South Georgia, flew home via Ascension in Hercules the longest and noisiest flight of my life.
I flew back from the Falklands last year on air tanker it was the worst long haul flight that I have ever been on the seating is 2-4-2 and the seats are not great, there are no power points anywhere on the aircraft so if you take a laptop or phone loaded with movies you can't charge it. It mostly army on the plane and they seemed to save all the middle seats at the front for high ranking army personnel so they had 4 seats to lie on. The food was terrible I didn't eat it. We had a 3 hour layover in Dakar Senegal to refuel and you had to stay on the plane. All you could get onboard were water and some soft drinks they used to have alcohol but some trouble with drunken soldiers stopped that. On arrival at brize Norten we got in early so there were no customs or immigration we had to wait for 2 hours. The only good thing the flight was not full so plenty of seats except the middle row only for army officers.I was coming back off a ship from the Antarctic and the company booked this that's the only reason I was on that flight if I was going to go back you can fly to Santiago then purto de arenas then the Falklands I would do that air tanker is shite.
What’s the food like on the islands? Can you get decent paella? Empanadas? Steak? Etc