Sold-out ‘flight to nowhere’ is fastest selling flight in history

Qantas has announced that a seven-hour “flight to nowhere”, which will take off and land at the same airport due to Australian interstate coronavirus travel restrictions, has sold out in less than 10 minutes, a spokeswoman told Reuters.

“It’s probably the fastest selling flight in Qantas’ history. People clearly miss travel and the experience of flying,” she said.

The flight will depart Sydney on Oct 10 and return the same day, making no stops.

Passengers will fly over Australia’s most scenic sights including Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, experiencing the incredible views.

Economy tickets went for $787 AUD (RM2,500), while business class would have set you back $3,787 AUD (RM11,500).

The 149 passengers will begin with breakfast in the Qantas lounge, with live entertainment and an amenities kit including “flying kangaroo” Qantas pyjamas.

Qantas says the flight “will be carbon offset and operate on a cost neutral basis”.

The airline industry has been one of the hardest during the pandemic, due to border closures and the public’s fear of contracting Covid-19 while traveling.

Novelty flights to nowhere are now turning into money spinners for airlines as international travel languishes in the doldrums.

Many airlines in Asia have started regular “round trip” flights to generate revenue until something like normal service resumes.

Some travellers believe these flights to nowhere could be a way to help out the airlines while doing something they enjoy.

“The pandemic is having a devastating impact on the tourism and airline industry, so I want to help boost the economy, and I miss flying,” a passenger booked on the Qantas flight told Reuters.

The Qantas spokeswoman said, “If the demand is there, we’ll definitely look at doing more of these scenic flights while we all wait for borders to reopen.”