Qantas scenic flights: 'Flights to somewhere' announced as Australia's borders reopen

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Qantas scenic flights: 'Flights to somewhere' announced as Australia's borders reopen

By Craig Platt
Updated
Qantas will operate several more scenic flights over Australia, this time landing for overnight stays.

Qantas will operate several more scenic flights over Australia, this time landing for overnight stays.Credit: Getty

Qantas has announced it will operate more scenic flights following the success of its first "flight to nowhere" earlier this month.

This time there's a twist - with some state borders now open, the trips will be "flights to somewhere", the airline said in a statement.

Rather than simply flying over destinations and returning to its point of departure, the next scenic flights will involve landing at a destination for an overnight stay.

The next flight will take 110 passengers on board a Boeing 737 to Uluru over the weekend of December 5, departing from Sydney.

Passengers will stay at Sails In the Desert at the Voyages resort at Uluru and the flight will include low-level flyovers of the rock and nearby Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).

The flight went on sale at 2pm on Thursday. The first scenic flight, which departed from Sydney and flew over sights including Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef before returning to the city, sold out in 10 minutes. Tickets were still available for the Uluru flight as of 6pm on Thursday.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline had received "fantastic" feedback on the first scenic flight.

"Now that more borders are starting to open, we're partnering with tourism operators on the ground to offer special flights to special destinations," he said.

"Across Qantas and Jetstar, we're currently operating at just under 30 per cent of our pre-COVID domestic capacity and if borders continue to be relaxed, we're hoping that will reach about 50 per cent by Christmas.".

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Along with the flights, guests will also participate in an Indigenous art workshop, experience dinner at at the Field Of Light art installation, guided walks and more.

Fares cost $2499 for economy class and $3999 for business class (twin share accommodation).

Qantas said the flight would be 100 per cent carbon offset.

Scenic flights have taken place in several countries around the world as airlines look for ways to generate revenue while most of their fleets are grounded. However, there has been a backlash, with some groups criticising the flights for generating unnecessary carbon emissions.

See also: 'Is this a joke?' Qantas sightseeing flights slammed

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