This was published 4 years ago
Flying on Christmas Day: What airlines are doing for Australian passengers
By Sian Brain
Don't be surprised to see Father Christmas around the Virgin Australia check-in desks (though probably not in the cockpit).Credit: Virgin Australia
While most of us are waking up Christmas morning to family celebrations and presents under the tree, spare a thought for those waking up at 30,000 feet or making a dash to the airport for a flight.
This is one of the busiest times of the year for airlines - about 70,000 passengers will fly into Sydney Airport's international terminal daily during the Christmas period.
Those numbers dip on Christmas Day itself, dropping to about 50,000. But the passengers flying will find airlines providing special meals and staff dressed up to mark the season.
Luke DeCourcey will depart New York for Australia on Christmas Day: 'Other dates in December were ridiculously expensive.'
If you're flying with Virgin Australia don't be surprised to see Santa on the tarmac or roaming around the terminal handing out candy canes and chocolate. The airline will also give out surprise business class upgrades and lounge passes to some unsuspecting customers.
A special chocolate treat will be given to all Qantas passengers on Christmas Day and lounges will feature Christmas music and decorations, ham, rum balls and a Christmas cocktail.
Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines will both be serving up traditional turkey meals on board, while customers flying with Thai Airways will receive a special Christmas dessert.
Thai Airways passengers will receive a special Christmas dessert.
It might be worth purchasing a lounge pass if you're flying home from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. Roast turkey, salt-crusted pork belly, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes and Christmas pudding are all on the festive menu.
One passenger who will be flying on Christmas Day is 29-year-old Luke DeCourcey, who has been living with his partner in the US for 18 months. Mr DeCourcey will miss Christmas with his family in Sydney for the first time this year, flying home from New York on Christmas Day. The 22-hour journey and time-zone change will see him arrive in Australia on December 27.
He decided to fly on Christmas Day because "other dates in December were ridiculously expensive, whereas the Christmas Day flight was about the same amount I'd usually pay for any other time of year."
"I haven't been home since last Christmas so I am very eager to get home and see everyone," he said
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