We are working with Qantas’ medical team on what proof will be required at the airport on the day of departure to verify double vaccination status. We will contact you closer to the flight with this information. You will not be required to share this with Antarctica Flights prior to departure. Fully vaccinated means that there has been at least 14 clear days from your second dose, in a 2-dose series of approved government vaccines, and the date of your Antarctica Flight.

Given the ongoing and evolving Covid-19 situation in Australia, we have been advised by Qantas, our charter airline partner, that this is the safest way to operate our Antarctica Flight season. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff is our highest concern.

We have chosen to move the Antarctica Flights to early 2022 to allow time for all passengers to be fully vaccinated. This is a new requirement given the evolving Covid-19 situation across Australia. This was a difficult decision and we understand that some passengers will be disappointed. We took into account the current percentage of fully vaccinated people, and the projected date to reach major vaccination milestones. By allowing this extra time, we hope that most passengers will be able to join us in early 2022 and we can operate the flight as safely as possible.

Yes, those who have a medical exemption from receiving the Covid-19 vaccine can still travel. Guests will be required to show a Covid-19 vaccine medical contraindication, and we will contact these guests closer to the flight with what documentation will be required at check-in.

Children 12 years and under will not need to be vaccinated to join us onboard the Antarctica Flight.

As it is now mandatory for all passengers to be fully vaccinated onboard our Antarctica Flights, we can offer you a credit for a future Antarctica Flight or a refund of all monies paid.

We are continuing to assess with Qantas what further measures can be taken to ensure the health and safety of our guests. In addition to mandating full vaccination for Covid-19, we are exercising further measures which are detailed here. This includes each passenger completing a Health and Safety Declaration, face masks worn throughout the flight, enhanced cleaning, and having a Qantas Covid Marshall onboard each flight to look after passenger wellbeing and assist with the seat rotation.

If you have a current Antarctica Flight booking with us, you would have received an email notification. Once you have completed the survey and confirmed that you will be double vaccinated, are medically exempt or under the age of 12, we will confirm your new booking. You will receive a new booking confirmation via email within 7 business days.

Yes, all staff onboard our Antarctica Flights will also be double vaccinated.

To ensure the health and safety of our passengers and crew during this extraordinary time, additional measures will be implemented throughout your Antarctica Flights experience.

Learn More

People of all ages are welcome on the flights, however we do ask you to consider the following:

All seats are priced the same for adults and children
Children under 16 years of age must travel with an adult
This is a long day for younger children and we recommend the trip for children aged 8 years and over
If you are travelling alone, you should be able to move around the cabin unaided

You will not need a passport, as this is classified as a domestic flight. However you will be required to present government approved photo ID at check-in.

Please allow sufficient time to transit security dependent on which terminal you will be departing from. We will send confirmation of the exact departure time for each flight to those who have booked closer to the departure date.

Charter flights like ours do not accumulate or accept frequent flyer points, as they are not scheduled Qantas flights.

The average flight duration is 12.5 hours (depending on your departure point). About three hours into the flight we usually see the first sea ice and icebergs. We spend approximately four hours over Antarctica and the remaining four hours traveling home.

Every passenger (excluding Explorer Economy Class) is allocated two Boarding Passes. At the half way point of the flight, an announcement is made asking passengers to move to the seat listed on their second boarding pass. Business Class Deluxe and Business Class passengers will be seated in a window seat for half of the flight and in an adjacent aisle seat for the other half. Premium Economy, Superior Economy and Standard Economy passengers will have a window seat or the seat next to a window seat for half of the flight and an adjacent aisle seat for the other half of the flight. Explorer Economy seats do not rotate.

It is important to note that while over Antarctica, most passengers get up from their seats and move about the aircraft, allowing everyone on board to enjoy excellent viewing opportunities. The aircraft flies in long sweeping 'figure 8s' over various points of interest to allow these spectacular sights to be viewed from both sides of the aircraft.

You may select a seating class but not a particular seat. Seats are allocated on the best available at time of reservation, however final seating allocation is done the evening before departure when final bookings are confirmed.

While the Explorer Economy Class seats do not rotate, ample viewing can still be achieved by walking to any available window space or exit zone. There is a fantastic atmosphere of cooperation among passengers as they share the experience.

This is unlike any flight you have been on before.

The viewing of Antarctica is out, not down, from the aircraft so excellent viewing can still be achieved from this section.

We do not land on Antarctica, primarily for environmental and safety reasons. Antarctica is as close to a pristine environment as there is on Earth. The activity of Antarctica Sightseeing Flights has been approved by all Antarctic Treaty nations. Most importantly, you cannot see the spectacular views available from the aircraft when you are on the ground.

Departure and return times vary slightly although you will be sent specific times when you receive your tickets.
New Years Eve flights usually depart at 6pm and return at 6am.
Other flights usually depart at around 7-8am and return at 7-8pm.
All times are subject to change and can be affected by things like airline operating procedures and weather.

We have over 19 different approved flight plans. Our Captain monitors the satellite cloud picture in the days leading up to departure and on the morning of the flight, and selects the route with the best visibility on the day. We have operated over 150 flights and have been able to offer excellent viewing opportunities on all of them thanks to the skill and preparation of the Qantas pilots and the knowledge of our onboard Antarctic Experts.

When over Antarctica we fly at approximately 10,000 feet or 2,000 feet above the highest ground within 100 nautical miles. This altitude provides excellent viewing while still respecting the wildlife habitats at sea level.

As most Antarctic wildlife lives at sea level, 10,000 feet below the aircraft, we cannot see them in any detail. We fly at this altitude to protect the various species. To experience the wonders of Antarctic wildlife, you would need to join a cruise.

Absolutely! All cameras are welcome. All the photos you see on this web site have been taken straight out of the window of the plane. We are always getting feedback from passengers who are delighted with their photographic results - and these are amateur photographers! You can find our photography hints and tips here.

We also offer the opportunity to purchase a video DVD of your flight - we take with us a professional videographer who has numerous cameras in different areas of the aircraft to capture every moment.

Even though this is classed as a domestic flight, we provide international standard service on our Qantas aircraft. Two full meal services, snacks over the ice, and complimentary bar service is provided.

We are proud to work with Carbon Neutral to offset the carbon emissions from every Antarctica Flight. Learn more about our commitment to the environment here.

Though classified as a domestic trip, travel insurance is recommended for our passengers.