In focus 8 - Flights to nowhere

In September 2020, the Australian airline Qantas made international news headlines when it announced a special seven-hour flight over Australia departing and landing in Sydney. The flight on a Dreamliner 787 had 134 tickets for sale and they were sold out in 10 minutes. It promoted great views over the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Sydney Harbour, and special meals and onboard entertainment (Mzezewa, 2020). This was not the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic that airlines offered these 'flights to nowhere'. In August of 2020, Brunei Airlines offered a two-hour 'fly and dine' experience and Taiwan-based airline EVA Air offered a special Father's Day flight to nowhere on their Hello Kitty-themed A330 Dream jet. The three-hour sightseeing flight was catered for by a three-star Michelin chef and included Hello Kitty amenities. A month earlier the same airline had offered three half-day tours where passengers got to experience the normal airport procedures of checking in and boarding. These flights did not leave the gate or include a meal. While the 'flights to nowhere' filled a real market demand, critics are concerned about the unnecessary use of fuel.