Antarctica flights are the way to go for those curious about the Great White Wilderness, but not quite willing to drop serious cash and make the journey by sea. Croydon Travel operates Antarctica Sightseeing Flights, an Antarctica tour service that has flown some 30,000 people over Antarctica since 1994 and now offers flights on the new A380 Superjumbo jet departing from Melbourne or Sydney a couple of times a year during the Antarctic summer.
The most recent A380 flight was a New Year’s Eve flyover, with the next on January 24, followed by a 747 flight on Valentines Day, February 14. After that, the next confirmed flight is for New Year’s Eve 2011. Flights to Antarctica are best — and safest — during the Antarctic summer because days are 24 hours long and weather conditions the most stable. The period lasts from November to February and Croydon plans flights accordingly, offering three to 12 flights during that time frame.
So for those looking for a bit of an Antarctic adventure, here are the damage details. Prices are based on the best viewing spots, so the most coveted aisle seats on normal long hauls are usually the last to go for the Antarctica flights. Its AU$999 for a center seat — passengers in this class get a chance to rotate through the plane and look out windows, so its not as if they’ll be watching March of the Penguins on video while others enjoy the views. For a window seat near a wing the price jumps up to AU$1,549, and a Superior Window economy seat clear of the wing goes for AU$2,399. A first class seat will set you back AU$6,299, with a business class seat falling between Superior Window prices and first class prices.
