Some travelers are so eager to return to the skies that several airlines have initiated destination-less trips to nowhere. In an effort to recuperate lost revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic, Singapore Airlines is considering launching three-hour flights around the country that depart from and return to Changi Airport. Even if the flight does not venture far, it begins and concludes at the world’s best airport for eight years running.
Singapore has implemented strict COVID-19 regulations. Its borders remain closed to short-term visitors, and those who receive entry approval are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine and are monitored by an electronic wristband to ensure they remain at home.
Moreover, Singapore is not alone in offering no-destination flights. In July and August, EVA Air in Taiwan launched special Hello Kitty-themed flights, with some experiences remaining on the ground. However, passengers enjoyed significant upgrades to their in-flight meals, which were crafted by three-Michelin-starred chef Motokazu Nakamura.
In October, Qantas, Australia’s flagship carrier, is also introducing a seven-hour ‘joy flight’ on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Sydney. This flight traverses over the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru before returning to its departure point; the 134 available seats sold out in just 10 minutes.
‘So many travelers are accustomed to flying every other week. Consequently, they have expressed their eagerness for the flying experience itself, almost as much as for the destinations,’ said Qantas CEO Alan Joyce in a statement.
Qantas has branded this excursion as a scenic flight, stating that it ‘will be carbon offset and operate on a cost-neutral basis.’ Interestingly, the middle seats are being blocked off, not for social distancing reasons, but to guarantee that all passengers have an excellent view from the plane’s large windows.
