Qantas doesn’t plan on operating international flights for over a year, and the airline has retired its 747 fleet, grounded its entire A380 fleet, and will soon ground most of its 787 fleet. But that isn’t stopping the airline from chartering out its planes for some awesome aerial tours of Antarctica in the coming months.
Continue reading: Qantas Will Fly 787s Over Antarctica
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It's really a once in a lifetime experience! And it saves one two weeks single journey by boat through the rough Antarctic sea! Though nothing beats flying the Queen of the Skies on these flights... did it as part of my first Australia visit 4 years ago, and still cherish the memories of that flight. The whole ambiance onboard was special too; I'll never forget the sense of euphoria across the entire plane as the first person spotted and shouted 'Snow!' as we descended over Antarctica. The QF crew volunteers to operate these flights, and are equally enthusiastic to be onboard. If memory serves me well, CO2 compensation by pax is actively offered by the tour company organizing these site seeing flights.
Now defunct Air Berlin used to offer similar site seeing flights over the north pole... curious why no other airline in Europe took over.
Agree a cruise is a better use of money to see Antarctica, plus there is no way I’d be swapping seats during COVID. That’s one sure way to spread it. Frankly, flying is off my radar until all of this settles down. I doubt these trips will go ahead anyway (at least the 2020 ones), though Qantas did recently operate farewell 747 joy flights so anything is possible. There is ultimately a market for it and from what I’ve heard the flights are often well booked.
Nope. I was booked to go to Antarctica in December but it has sadly been cancelled. Not spending 8k for a couple of hours of seeing it from the sky. These flights have been operating for years. Were originally arranged by a travel agent very close to where I grew up. Supposed to be amazing though.
I wonder if you earn SC’s???
As an aside my QF status year started again on Aug 1. Got my 50% bonus SC on the same day!
Spare a moment of remembrance for those lost during the crash of Air New Zealand 901 at Mount Erebus.
OK, how can you tell the difference between Antarctica and the Arctic from 35,000 feet? It's just a big sheet of ice, right?
The famous Antarctica sightseeing flights. Doesn't sound like this flight is COVID compliant.
We'll see if COVID or Mt. Erebus kills more people.
Although I haven't been to Antarctica, I have flown from Iceland to Greenland and spent some time cruising there too. Having flown extensively all over the world, the trip from Reykjavik to Illusilat in winter is one of the best 10 things I've ever done. The plane is small and flies quite low. You get a totally different perspective from the air, can see the extent of the amazing ice fjords and marvel at the sheer power of mother nature. My face stayed glued to the window for several hours!
Cruising was interesting too - seeing an iceberg invert (from a distance) was incredible. In terms of experiences, flying and cruising are not comparable in this case. Even though I'm in Australia, at $7000 I don't think I'll be going on an Antarctic joy flight any time soon. But I can certainly see the appeal and hope those who do decide to go have a magical time.
Do we know the altitude, Ben? If they spend hours sweeping around Antarctic mountains at 15,000 feet I'd consider it. At 35,000 feet, we've presumably seen similar Arctic views en route from JFK to HKG.
I just did an Antarctica trip with Quark... you would never be able to appreciate Antarctica by airplane!! Gotta go in person, its 100% worth it. Put that money towards the cruise/expedition!
How sad for the environment. Antarctica is already melting. a little extra ozone from these flights will help it along.
Qantas needs to ask Air New Zealand about their personal experience with Antarctic Sightseeing flights in the past. RIP all 257 passengers and crew who slammed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in false whiteout conditions.