Antarctica Flights Begin

Every year around this time Antarctica Flight (http://www.antarcticaflights.com.au/) charter out Qantas 747's and put on sight seeing flights to the Antarctica.
This year there are 5 flights as Hobart will have its first flight this year thanks to the recent runway extensions.
Today Sydney kicks off this years flight with Flight 2904, a Boeing 747-438 VH-OEJ (CN 32914) departing Sydney half an hour late, getting airborne from 34L right on 8am Sydney time.

QANTAS B747-438 VH-OEJ (CN 32914)            File Photo

Taking around 12 hours, the flights are the easiest way to view this great white Continent. No passports are needed and you are kept warm and safe with a drink in hand while our privately chartered 747 glides effortlessly over amazing scenery.

What To Expect

The flight provides a full day of Antarctic experience. Our flight from Australia ranges between 9,500 – 10,500kms round trip (approximately 12.5 hours) depending on your departure city. Expert Antarctic expeditioners are onboard to talk on the polar environment and its history while video screenings depict life on the ground.
Approximately three hours south of Australia, passengers will usually see the first scattered ice followed by dozens of icebergs and ice floes. We then cross the South Magnetic Pole where you will start to view the rugged mountainous topography of the Antarctic mainland.

The flight is not cheap as prices range from $1,199 - $7,999 but I think it would be a once in a lifetime experience.

Economy Class Centre - $1,199

These are the two seats in the middle rows of the Economy Class section (seats E, F). Centre Economy seats do not rotate.

Economy Class Standard - $1,999

These are the four seats on each side of the aircraft in the Economy Class section over or near the wing area and will be rotated at the halfway point of the journey. Each passenger will have a window seat or the seat next to a window seat for half of the flight and an aisle seat for the other half of the flight.

Economy Class Superior - $2,999

The rear Economy Class section is reserved for Economy Class Superior passengers. All seat rows are well clear of the wing for excellent viewing. These are the four seats on each side of the aircraft and will be rotated at the halfway point of the journey. Each passenger will have a window seat or the seat next to a window seat for half of the flight and an aisle seat for the other half.

Premium Economy Class - $3,299

These are Qantas’ international Premium Economy seats, with slightly larger seats and seat pitch than regular Economy Class seats. The seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration, giving more space than in the Economy cabin. Seats are located over the wing. Each passenger will have a window seat or seat next to a window seat for half of the flight and a centre seat for the other half of the flight.

Business Class Centre - $4,299

These are the three seats in the centre row in the downstairs Business Class cabin. Although they do not rotate to a window seat full Business Class facilities, food and drinks are provided.

Business Class Deluxe - $7,499

All seats are either a window or aisle seat next to the window seat. The window and the adjacent aisle seats will be rotated at the halfway point of the journey.

Ice Class - $7,999

All seats in the exclusive front cabin are full length sleeper seats. Ice Class passengers will either have a window or / aisle seat next to the window seat. The window and the adjacent aisle seats will be rotated at the halfway point of the journey. Ice Class passengers will also enjoy extra benefits including the finest Champagne and a complimentary gift pack.

Here is QF 2904 departing Sydney heading for Antarctica

And here she is just minutes before going off radar

The next flight is from Melbourne on New Years Eve
then Melbourne again 11th February 2018
Brisbane 18th February 2018
Hobart 25th November 2018

Here is QF2904 returning after a 13 hour joy flight showing the flight path and holding pattern over Antarctica