The coronavirus pandemic has (hopefully temporarily) changed a lot of things about our lives, and one of those things is travel, as in, we’re not traveling.
Some people had to cancel their summer travel plans. Other people had to cancel countless business meetings and switch to Zoom instead.
While some people think of airports and airplanes as an annoying way to get from point A to point B, other people really enjoy flying in an airplane. The opportunity to see the clouds outside your window can be relaxing, and seeing the ground far below can give you a fresh perspective.
Airlines in Australia, Brunei, Taiwan and Japan have come up with a way to cater to those who miss the experience of being in an airplane. They have started offering “flights to nowhere.” These flights start at point A and end at point A, but it’s not about going somewhere; it’s about the journey itself.
For example, Qantas airlines in Australia offered a 7-hour flight that will fly low over popular destinations like the Great Barrier Reef and the outback. The airline is using planes that are usually reserved for international travel, and they are not packing them full. This allows for social distancing and a more luxurious experience. The Qantas flights sold out in just 10 minutes even though the seats cost anywhere from $575 to $2,765 in U.S. dollars.
While it may seem odd at first to book a flight that doesn’t take you to a different city or country, the concept is not entirely new. Qantas has been doing scenic flights over Antarctica for years. These flights don’t actually land in Antarctica; they just allow you to see it. We also think of scenic helicopter flights which are quite common at tourist destinations.
For more information about these “flights to nowhere,” watch the video below.
Do you miss traveling by airplane? Would you pay for a “flight to nowhere”?