ZEN AIRLINES 
'My spirits will be lifted': Japan embraces the flights to nowhere
Sep 25 2020
Qantas 'Flight to Nowhere' Sells out Within Minutes

The "flight to nowhere" in Australia sold out in ten minutes. People have been deprived of travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The scenic flight on the A380 was sold out (file photo).

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and with the spread of the novel coronavirus causing a dive in the use of passenger planes, major airlines are focusing on "scenic flights," by utilising planes that are not in service.

In what seems to be a vain effort to make up for the loss of revenue caused by the drop in flights, the concept is gaining popularity and tickets are selling out.

The world's largest double-decker Airbus, the A380, which is also known as a "flying hotel," normally operates on flights to Hawaii. However, due to low demand, the Hawaii route is currently out of service and the plane has not been used.

In its second attempt following one in August, All Nippon Airways (ANA) flew the A380 on a 90-minute scenic flight over Mt. Fuji, Nagoya and Miyakejima island, then back to Narita, on the Sunday of the four-day weekend.

Both flights of about 350 seats, including economy class (from 14,000 yen or NZ$200) and first-class (50,000 yen or US$725) were sold out. A 39-year-old office worker from Wakayama City said, "I rarely have the opportunity to fly on the A380. Even with the coronavirus crisis, my spirits will be lifted."