Qantas plans more ‘flights to nowhere’

Qantas has declared its first scenic flight around Australia a spectacular success.

Residents of Coolum on the Sunshine Coast had a message for passengers on Qantas's scenic flight. Picture: Qantas

A Qantas “flight to nowhere” that sold out in under 10 minutes appears set to be repeated out of Brisbane, after proving a huge hit with passengers and crew.

The seven-hour flight from Sydney to Sydney — which was completely carbon offset by the airline — took in the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Byron Bay, Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).

Residents of Coolum on the Sunshine Coast turned the low flyover into a marketing opportunity, spelling out “visit us for real” on the beach.

Prior to the flight, passengers who paid between $787 and $3787 for a seat, were treated to cocktails, an auction and a performance of Great Southern Land by Icehouse frontman Iva Davies.

Among the items sold, was a one-hour simulator session with a Qantas 787 pilot, which went for $3300.

Passenger Peter Dongas said he was glad just to be back on a plane.

“Some of the sights we saw today, one would never get the chance to see like that. We were so close to them, it was just brilliant,” Mr Dongas said.

“Looking at some of those places, the first thing I could think of was, ‘How do I get back there? How do I get back to the reef? And, ‘I’ve got to get back to see Uluru’.”

Fellow traveller Maureen said the flight had surpassed expectations and made her want to see more of Australia.

“It’s really shaken me up a wee bit. I’ve always wanted to do Uluru, but no excuse now — I must go to Uluru,” she said.

Captain Alex Passerini said “everything that we planned came off”.

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“The weather was superb, traffic levels were down and the reception around the country was incredible from traffic control, from other pilots,” Captain Passerini said.

“We saw everything, and it’s something we will never forget.”

For a grounded pilot, the experience was a reminder that flying is “a wonderful experience”.

“We just can’t wait to get airborne again and take more people to these destinations,” said Captain Passerini.

“We’ve planted some seeds in terms of people’s next holiday plans and we want more of these flights.”

Qantas is understood to be considering another scenic flight out of Brisbane following the overwhelming demand for Saturday’s flight.

The carrier designed the trip to work around border closures, which have slowed the domestic market recovery for airlines.

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis in late January, Qantas has stood down 25,000 employees and grounded 100 aircraft.

Along with Jetstar, the airline group is now in the process of shrinking the 29,000-strong workforce by about 8500 staff.

Trans-Tasman flights will recommence on October 16 following the federal government’s decision to allow New Zealanders to visit NSW and the Northern Territory without the need to quarantine.

The carrier has reported “steady” sales for the flights, albeit off a low base.

Boeing 737s will be used for the services between Auckland and Christchurch and Sydney, with a one-way fare costing $880.