Polar New Year's party for super jumbo jet-setters

September 30, 2009

Intrepid explorers around the globe are planning a New Year's party with a difference, it has emerged.

Passengers on the Qantas A380 super jumbo, chartered by Australian travel firm Antarctica Sightseeing Flights, will be cruising over Antarctica at the turn of the New Year.

Following their polar New Year's celebrations, the globe-trotters will get to watch the sun rise on 2010 - the first people in the world to have the privilege.

Kim Tillot, marketing manager for Antarctica Sightseeing Flights, explained that the eleven-hour New Year's flight will take off from Sydney and travel via Melbourne to pick up more passengers.

"Since Qantas took delivery of the first A380 we've been in negotiations to do this flight," she added, pointing out that the trip will differ from the average airborne jaunt in more ways than one.

"People roam about the cabin and swap seats, we have a jazz band on board and a party atmosphere," she said.

The super jumbo is the only aircraft allowed to fly over the polar region on New Year's Eve.

For anyone already planning their party schedule beyond New Year's, the travel firm has lined up another flight for Valentine's Day 2010.