As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to make it difficult for people to travel overseas, two Taiwanese airlines are offering customers the opportunity to take a holiday flight to nowhere. Yes, the Taiwanese airlines will fly you to Japan at a cost of US$180 for economy class, but don’t expect to land.
Next weekend, an EVA Air A330 will take off from Taoyuan International Airport, fly over the northeast cape, circle Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and head home again via Taiwan’s southeast coast. The flight will last two hours and 45 minutes.
According to an airline official, they have signed up nine local travel agencies for the trip, which will leave at 10.30am on August 8 and return at 1.15pm. Obviously there will not be a stopover in Japan.
The price includes a Wi-fi card and a standard in-flight meal. Passengers will also be able to buy duty-free items. August 8 is Father’s Day in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s China Airlines is offering two “holiday” packages – on August 8 and August 15, comprising a tour of the pilot’s cabin and a two-hour flight over the island. The cost is NT$6,000 for one adult and one child, though only children are allowed on the cabin tour. The price includes afternoon tea and unspecified gifts, the company said.
Taoyuan airport copied the idea, and began giving people tours on July 25. The programme runs until August 29, with 12 tours being offered in total. They are held every Thursday and Saturday and cost NT$1,000. For that, people will be able to visit the airport lounges, duty-free shops and outdoor observation decks.
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