Sightseeing flights to Antarctica to resume Saturday, 31 December 2005

One-day sightseeing flights to Antarctica will resume on Saturday, 31 December, when Croydon Travel and Qantas launch their milestone 12th season of tours from Australia, from just A$899.

Two flights are planned in the 2005/2006 programme - two from Sydney, one of them via Melbourne - using Boeing 747-400 aircraft chartered from Qantas.

The programme features the special New Years Eve “Midnight Sun” trip, which features a party flight theme, complete with a roving four-piece band. Passengers on this flight will be among the first to see the sun in 2006.

“Antarctica is the world’s highest, driest, coldest and windiest continent,” said Phil Asker, Managing Director of Croydon Travel, founder of the Antarctica sightseeing flights from Australia, and veteran of 25 of the services.

“These flights offer a unique opportunity to view icebergs, coastal cliffs, glaciers and spectacular mountain ranges from the comfort of a Boeing 747,” said Mr Asker. “And it can all be done in a day, including two international-standard meals, plus snacks and full bar service, Antarctica videos and expert commentary from Antarctic scientists.”

There are eight pricing options, starting with a special A$899 deal for Centre Economy Class seats ranging up to A$5199 for First Class.

A typical flight departs Sydney or Melbourne, takes approximately four hours to reach the South Magnetic Pole, then descends over spectacular sea ice and icebergs, crossing the Antarctic coast near the French research base at Dumont d’Urville.

From there, the aircraft flies a low and slow figure-eight pattern over glaciers and ice fields to maximise the viewing opportunities for passengers on both sides of the cabin. 

It then continues towards Cape Hudson and Cape Washington before circling the spectacular Trans Antarctic Range, finally exiting the region at Cape Adare for the four hour flight back to Australia, which includes hot dinner and time to relax and talk to the Antarctic experts.

In addition to the figure-eight flying, a further viewing opportunity comes from the video camera mounted in the cockpit, which films takeoff and landing, as well as the approach to the ice. The images from the camera are then shown live on the cabin video screens.

Strict regulations apply to the flights, ensuring total operating safety without compromising the spectacle of Antarctic sightseeing, and up to 18 flight paths have been pre-approved, giving the pilots a range of alternative sightseeing options if some areas are affected by poor weather.

Rigid environmental requirements also apply to the flights, requiring the approval of all nations represented in Antarctica.

Throughout the period over the ice, a seat rotation system ensures that aisle and window passengers change places half way through the flight, and while centre seat passengers are not part of this rotation system, there are many viewing opportunities throughout the four hour period in which the aircraft overflies Antarctica.

In addition to a Qantas cabin crew, Croydon Travel provides its own team of staff, to provide information to passengers, assist with catering and seat rotation, and provide a range of souvenir merchandise during the day.

The first Antarctica Sightseeing Flight for 2005/2006 will operate from Sydney, via Melbourne on Saturday, 31 December. The special New Year’s Eve Flight includes a roving jazz band and celebrates New Year’s Eve in full daylight whilst over the ice.

The second flight departs Sydney at 8.00am on Saturday, 18 February 2006, returning at 8.30pm. This will be the 75th Antarctica flight operated by Croydon Travel and Qantas.

Seating is priced according to position and viewing opportunities.

Economy Centre seating: A$899
Economy Standard (near or over wing) A$1399
Economy Premium (rear Economy cabin, uninterrupted views) A$2199
Business Class Centre (downstairs) A$2699
Business Class Deluxe (window or aisle) A$3999
First Class (sleeper seat, window throughout journey) A$5199

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