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12 August, 2020

Private charter airline offers flights to Antarctica on board Qantas Dreamliner

By Christian Fleetwood

Private charter airline Antarctica Flights is aiming for a November take-off for the first of a handful of flights to the frozen continent.

Using a privately chartered Qantas 787 Dreamliner, Antarctica Flights is preparing to take guests on day trips to Antarctica, on journeys considered domestic, meaning travellers do not require passports.

At a time when international travel is on pause, it is still possible to take what Antarctica Flights describes as “the world’s most unforgettable sightseeing flight”, with the charter service preparing to take seven flights to the region.

“Antarctica Flights offer the ultimate one-day adventure,” Antarctica Flights chief executive Bas Bosschieter said.

“It’s a chance to see this extraordinary white wilderness from the air, and learn about the southernmost continent from polar experts, at the same time as experiencing the fabulous new Qantas 787 Dreamliner. You get to travel overseas, no luggage or passport required!”

Image source: Antarctica Flights

Each flight provides a full day Antarctic experience, with polar expeditioners on board to talk through the extraordinary environment on view.

Approximately three hours south of Australia, passengers will see their first glimpses of scattered ice followed by icebergs and ice floes. The aircraft will then fly over the Southern continent, providing extraordinary views of the rugged topography of mainland Antarctica.

Flights are set to begin with a Melbourne service (15 November), followed by services in Sydney (22 November), Melbourne (31 December), Perth (26 January), Brisbane (7 February), Adelaide (14 February), and Sydney (21 February).

Founded over 25 years ago by Phil Asker, Antarctica Flights has traditionally undertaken services with Boeing 747 planes; however, the aircraft’s recent retirement has paved the way for the 787 Dreamliner, affording even better views due to its larger windows.

With 19 planned routes to match the day’s weather conditions, no two flights are ever the same, each with a duration of 12 to 14 hours, Antarctica Flights explained.

Each flight will accommodate around 220 passengers, with a choice of seating options from Business through to Explorer Economy, with “strict” COVID protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of all guests on board.

Speaking to Travel Weekly, an Antarctica Flights spokesperson said the company would “love for travel agents to get involved in selling flights”.

When asked whether Antarctica Flights was confident its schedule would remain on track, due to uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, the spokesperson said: “Yes, with no restrictions to international borders and no passports required, the team are confident that these flights will run per the outlined schedule.”

Antarctica Flights said it is committed to protecting the planet. Recognising Antarctica’s significant vulnerability to climate change, the company is continuing to aid further research and education.

The company is also committing to carbon offset each flight, in order to protect “this unique, precious, last great wilderness”.

Prices start at $1,199 for an Explorer Economy Seat and range up to $7,999 for a Business Class Deluxe. For further information on the journeys, click here.

Featured image source: Antarctica Flights

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