Fly me to the supermoon: A ‘flight to nowhere’ takes moon viewing to the next level
As the world waits for the majestic supermoon to illuminate the night sky once again this month, Qantas Airways is giving 100 travel-hungry residents of Australia a chance to view the rare phenomenon that will be blanketed by a total lunar eclipse.
However, the tickets for this scenic flight to nowhere were sold out in record 2.5 minutes. According to the airline, the flight’s waitlist is also already closed.
But first, what exactly is a flight to nowhere? It’s a flight that does not have a destination and focuses more on the journey rather than the usual goal of a flight—to get you from Point A to Point B. The passenger boards the plane and disembarks at the same location, which means this travel experience does not require you to have a passport or a visa.
Flights to nowhere have become a trend in the world of travel as border closures and travel bans during the pandemic abound.
So, what’s in store for those who were lucky enough to score a seat in the much-coveted flight?
A pre-flight cocktail party and a “surprise entertainment” will welcome passengers to the airline’s business lounge.
Passengers are set to depart from Sydney on May 26, 7:30 p.m., in a B787 Dreamliner, which has the biggest windows on any passenger aircraft, perfect for the scenic two-and-a-half-hour sojourn.
Its flight path will first take passengers over the city’s famous Sydney Harbor and the iconic Opera House, then the flight will climb 40,000 feet followed by a viewing of the rising crimson supermoon called the “Super Flower Blood Moon,” which coincides with a total lunar eclipse.
The airline guarantees to get above any cloud cover for the supermoon viewing.
The airline said its pilots will work with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation astronomer Dr. Vanessa Moss to design the optimal flight path. Moss will also join the flight to provide insights and inflight commentary on supermoons and anything about space and astronomy.
Passengers will also enjoy exclusive merchandise, inflight food and beverages, gift bags and a commemorative certificate of the flight to nowhere.
Tickets were sold for $1,499 (P72,000) for Business Class, $899 (P43,000) for Premium Economy Class, and $499 (P24,000) for Economy Class.
Qantas has been rolling out flights to nowhere since last year, which have been well-received by those who have been looking for ways to quench their thirst for travel (for a hefty price, of course).
When the airline offered a “Great Southern Land” scenic flights to nowhere, all of its 150 seats were sold out in just 10 minutes! The seven-hour scenic flight flew over iconic destinations like the Great Barrier Reef, landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, and even a low flyover over Uluru and Bondi Beach.
Will you be game to hop in a flight to nowhere?