Celebrate New Year's Eve 2022-23 on a scenic flight over Antarctica! (Melbourne roundtrip)
Welcome in the New Year at the end of the earth in the midnight sun. Departing in the evening, this unique flight will have you celebrating at dizzying heights over the most unique landscape on our earth.
On-board you will be entertained with live music and lavished with champagne while you wonder over the enigmatic landscapes of Antarctica as she sparkles below you.
- Seat options from Economy Class-Limited View to Premium Business
- Two Full-Service Qantas meals plus snacks
- Full Bar Service including champagne, beer, spirits and soft drinks
- Choose your viewing on the in seat entertainment system
Welcome in the 2023 New Year at the end of the earth in the midnight sun. Departing in the evening, this unique flight will have you celebrating at dizzying heights over the most unique landscape on our earth. On-board you will be entertained with live music and lavished with champagne while you wonder over the enigmatic landscapes of Antarctica as she sparkles below you.
Our Antarctica flights are very different from our ship based expeditions to Antarctica given that they give you a chance to experience Antarctica in one day. One of the things that even seasoned ship based expeditioners mention is the sense of scale that the Antarctica overflights give you in comparison to ship based expeditions. The flights give you a much greater appreciation of the sheer size of Antarctica compared to anything that you experience on a ship.
You will travel from Melbourne in the late afternoon and return the following year (13 hours later). We will also have a team of Chimu Adventures Antarctica experts onboard to help explain the landscapes and history of the continent as we fly. Over the years, Chimu Adventures has built up one of largest teams of Antarctica experts within Australia and we leverage off this team to help us a fantastic inflight experience for our clients.
Generally it takes around three hours of flying time south of Australia before we start to see scattered icebergs and shortly after we normally reach the continent itself, where, weather permitting, we’ll get to take in the dramatic mountains, glaciers and frozen landscapes of Antarctica.
For the regular Antarctica flights we will spend 3 - 4 hours flying over the Antarctic continent and weather permitting we’ll hope to reduce the flying altitude to approximately 20,000 feet to give improved viewing of some areas.
A number of factors are considered, including weather, cloud cover and ice conditions to help provide you the best viewing experience on the day. Working with Qantas, we have 20 different potential flight paths to choose from, all of which have a variety of interesting features to see.
Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Depart Melbourne - 31 December 2022
- Economy Limited View - $1195 per person
- Economy (Wing) - $2195 per person
- Economy (No wing) - $3195 per person
- Premium Economy - $3995 per person
- Business Class - $6595 per person
- Business Premium - $7995 per person
Providing optimal comfort and space for every passenger is at the core of the Qantas Dreamliner design which features 236 seats - less than most other aircraft of its type. The aircraft is fitted with state-of-the-art technology to reduce turbulence, improve noise quality and reduced aircraft vibrations fora smoother flight. Every seat has been designed to offer the ultimate comfort for long-haul flyers. The windows on the Dreamliner are 65% larger than comparable aircraft windows, providing an increased sense of space and the opportunity for passengers to see more of the world.
Economy Class - Limited View
Limited View seats do not have direct access to a window. These passengers are given priority access to stand in the common areas to enjoy the view. Passengers will enjoy Qantas’s International service. All economy customers will enjoy a full meal service for dinner & breakfast as well as inflight entertainment. These seats do not rotate.
Economy Class - Wing
These economy seats are over the wing. This does obstruct views of the night sky however many photographers like the wing as it gives great perspective in images and video. All economy customers will enjoy a full meal service for dinner & breakfast. There will be a seat swap during the flight to give everyone the opportunity to get better views through the large windows.
Economy Class - No Wing
These economy seats have unobstructed views from the windows. All economy customers will enjoy a full meal service for dinner & breakfast. On the Dreamliner B787’s you’ll enjoy the next generation and award-winning Recaro seat, ergonomically designed for optimal comfort. Everything has been thought of to support your travel needs –mood lights, storage areas, inflight entertainment and even a personal electronic device shelf. There will be a seat swap during the flight to give everyone the opportunity to get better views through the large windows.
Premium Economy Class
Stretch out and relax in Qantas’s award-winning Premium Economy cabin, with luxurious levels of space and attentive service. Seated in an intimate and private cabin, you’ll enjoy the benefits of flying premium with a well thought out seat design, indulgent touches to make you feel at home plus a refreshed menu and an extensive wine list. All while you enjoy magnificent views of the Southern Lights through large windows. There will be a seat swap during the flight to give everyone the opportunity to get better views through the large windows.
Business Class
Enjoy the same wonderful seating and service as Premium Business Class customers. The difference is the seats are situated over the wing. This does slightly obstruct views of the night sky however many photographers like the wing as it gives great perspective in images and video. These seats will undergo a swap to ensure everyone gets ample time in a window seat.
Premium Business Class
Admire wide views in utmost comfort with full international business class service in a Premium Business Class seats. The windows in the Dreamliner are 65% larger than comparable aircraft windows. In Premium Business Class, you will enjoy a super soft leather seat that transforms into a luxurious two-metre lie-flat bed, with a memory foam mattress, two full-size pillows anda cosy duvet. The extensive storage space, wide range of seat adjustments and in-seat massage options will suit your personal needs. And all lie-flatbeds have direct aisle access. The window and adjacent aisle seats will swap throughout the flight to give everyone ample time in the window seat.
Flight is subject to CASA and other regulatory approvals.
Deposit and final payments A non-refundable deposit per passenger is due at the time of booking equivalent to:
1. Economy class seats AUD$500.00 per person
2. Premium Economy AUD$750.00 per person
3. Business class seats AUD$1000.00 per person
Final payment of your booking balance is required eight weeks prior to your departure date.
Book with Confidence. Should your flight not be able to depart due to government restrictions with coronavirus, you can choose from either of the following:
1. Transfer to an alternative departure date at no extra cost. Subject to availability.
2. Receive a full refund, excluding a $75 per person administration fee.
3. A 100% travel credit to use when booking another Chimu Adventures product.
Seat swap process:
Cabin Crew will advise you when the seat swap process will commence. Seat swap process will occur by cabin and by row number. Our team on board will assist in the seat swapping process. You will be required to tidy your own seat area prior to vacating as follows:• Collect all rubbish from the seat back pocket and within the seat area, placing in the white bag provided• Wipe down tray table• Wipe down seatbelt and buckle• Wipe down IFE screen and control• If in window seat, wipe down window and shade
Dreamliner:
The Qantas Dreamliner features 236 seats - less than most other aircraft of its type. The aircraft is fitted with state-of-the-art technology to reduce turbulence, improve noise quality and reduced aircraft vibrations for a smoother flight. Every seat has been designed to offer the ultimate comfort for long-haul flyers. The windows on the Dreamliner are 65% larger than comparable aircraft windows, providing an increased sense of space and the opportunity for passengers to see more of the world.
Where will we fly & what if it is bad weather?
Weather is not generally the issue, cloud cover is our biggest challenge. We have 20 different routes we can follow and the Captain will choose the route with they anticipate will provide the best viewing on the day. It is noted that weather conditions can change quickly in Antarctica, even mid-flight. For our South Pole flight, we will be at the mercy of the conditions on the day. This route is focused on the history and scale of the epic journeys of Amundsen and Scott.
What time will we fly? Most Antarctica flights will depart early morning with the exception of the New Years flight which will depart in the evening and enjoy the midnight sun.
Are there any age Restrictions for the Flight? There are no age restriction on the flights, although please be aware that there is no discounted pricing for children. Please Note: this is a long flight for young children and we do not recommend the trip for children aged 8 years and younger. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Can I use or redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points or credits for my flight? As this is a chartered flight, the flight does not accumulate or accept frequent flyer points. Any credits held with Qantas can also not be used to purchase these flights.
Can I access the Qantas Airport Lounge? Yes, the Qantas Airport Lounges can be accessed for passengers who hold the required loyalty status.
Can I reserve a particular seat? You can select a seating class but not a particular seat. The Seating allocation will be finalised close to travel date.
COVID:
The health and safety of passengers and crew will be taken seriously during COVID 19. As such these additional COVID safety measures are in play, in partnership with Qantas and airport authorities:
• In the days prior to departure and for the peace of mind of all passengers, everyone boarding the flight will be required to complete a Health and Safety declaration form.
• A contactless temperature test will be conducted on all passengers prior to embarkation (depending on transmission rates in the state of departure at the time). Those people with a fever (38°C or higher) will be denied boarding, but, will receive a credit for a future Antarctica Flight.
• To reduce congestion on board, not all seats in Economy Class will be utilised. This will allow more space for passengers.
• Each passenger will receive a personal Qantas pack for the flight including disposable mask, sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.
• There is enhanced cleaning of the aircraft with a disinfectant effective against coronaviruses including during the seat swap process. The aircraft’s air conditioning system is fitted with hospital-grade HEPA filters, which remove 99.9% of all particles, including viruses. Air inside the cabin is refreshed every few minutes, ensuring high air quality.
• Additional sanitisers will be available on board throughout the duration of the flight.
• Depending on transition rates in your state at the date of departure and the latest medical advice at the time, there may be additional measures implemented closer to departure.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply. Prices are correct as at 08 April 2021 & are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices are per person. Valid for new bookings only. All product is subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice.
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