Right now, it can be easy to feel like we’re going nowhere. But in parts of an industry that is greatly hindered by the pandemic, “nowhere” has now taken on a somewhat different meaning.
Earlier this year, Eva Airlines decided to offer a flight on August 8, Father’s Day in Taiwan. The two-hour, 45 minute flight departed from, and landed at, Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport. Passengers toured the coast of northeastern Taiwan, and Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, at an altitude of 25,000 feet — unusually low for commercial flights, but offering better than usual views. Passengers also received a multi-course gourmet meal, new luggage, limited edition Hello Kitty themed souvenirs, and partial access to duty-free shopping. This 309 seat “flight to nowhere” sold out quickly, as did flights during the Mid-Autumn Festival that gave passengers a clear view of the full moon, and served traditional moon cakes on board.
Adhering to local public health and customs guidelines, other airlines have now ventured into the “nowhere” space. Some examples: HK Express now offers a similar experience, as does Royal Brunei Airlines. Qantas Airlines’ seven hour Great Southern Land scenic flight also includes on-board live entertainment, a charity auction, and a set of pajamas. Singapore Airlines has a variety of experiences from which travelers to nowhere can choose, including training center tours, classes, group event bookings, and dining in a grounded aircraft. A flight to nowhere that has been an option for years, but has increased in popularity this year, is Antarctica Flights’ Antarctica in a Day. Offering different routes from five cities in Australia, the flight treats passengers to four hours of magnificent views of our southernmost continent.
Written by Erin Fitzgerald, GMS, Content Manager
