AIRLINES LAUNCH ‘FLIGHTS TO NOWHERE’

A GROWING number of airlines have begun offering flights that depart and land in the same place for travellers who miss the flying experience, as most borders remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Eva Air was among the first in August, with a 90-minute flight on a plane decorated in “Hello Kitty” livery. Qantas launched a seven-hour sightseeing “flight to nowhere” that departed from Sydney Domestic Airport and flew a huge loop, circling back to land at the same location. Seats on the flight sold out in ten minutes; dubbed the “Great Southern Land scenic flight”, the airline promised passengers picturesque views and low-level flybys over Australian landmarks across Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.

ANA also flew 90-minute flights to nowhere in August and September. The first flight was operated from Tokyo’s Narita airport on a blue Flying Honu A380 aircraft, which was flown on ANA’s Narita-Honolulu route before the coronavirus pandemic. The Flying Honu aircraft, which features blue livery inspired by the Hawaiian sea turtle, is part of a trio of A380s with colourful livery. The Japanese carrier flew its second sightseeing trip in September on its green Flying Honu aircraft.

South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines and Hong Kong-based budget carrier HK Express have also joined the growing list of airlines offering flights to nowhere.