After the huge success of Qantas’ flight to nowhere, which sold out in a record 10 minutes at a time when domestic border restrictions were at their peak, the second flight experience Qantas announced was a flight to somewhere, when the initial reopening of borders began last year.
Qantas has today announced their third domestic adventure to combat the border blues, with plans to operate three domestic mystery flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne for travellers keen to enjoy unique Australian experiences while international borders remain firmly closed.
Qantas last operated mystery flights in the 1990s, when travellers would turn up at the airport and be allocated seats on a scheduled flight to any of the airline’s destinations. Mystery flight passengers were free to spend the day at their leisure before flying home. That concept has now evolved into the national carrier’s three dedicated Boeing 737 mystery flight experiences that will include not just the flight, but an entire day of activities in a mystery destination. All passengers need to do is book and turn up at the airport.
“The vaccine rollout is bringing a lot more certainty and domestic border restrictions should soon be a thing of the past. In the meantime, these flights turn that mystery into a positive by creating a unique experience for the many people keen to start travelling again,” says Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully.
“As well as helping bring more of our people back to work, these mystery flights are another way to support tourism operators in regional areas especially, who have been hit particularly hard by several waves of travel restrictions,” Ms Tully added.
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So, what do we know?
While the destination and activities remain a mystery, we do have some details about Qantas’ mystery flight experiences. There will be three flights departing from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to a destination within approximately two hours, with all destinations being outside major capital cities.
As part of the flight, travellers will enjoy low-level scenic flybys of key landmarks en route, before finding out their destination as the aircraft commences its descent.
Qantas has said that ground experiences could include anything from a winemaking course in a premier Australian wine region to a gourmet lunch with musical entertainment on the shores of one of Australia’s tropical island wonders. The airline will also provide travellers with clues to ensure everyone knows whether to pack a snorkel or sneakers.
Seats on the Qantas Mystery Flight Experiences go on sale on Qantas.com at midday Thursday 4 March for travel in March, April and May.
Departure cities
Qantas are offering three mystery flights, as follows:
Brisbane
- Date: Saturday 27 March 2021 from 7am
- Clues: Country hospitality, gourmet food and wine, the great outdoors
Sydney
- Date: Sunday 18 April 2021 from 7am
- Clues: The tropics, saltwater on your skin, long lunching on the beach
Melbourne
- Date: Saturday 1 May 2021 from 7am
- Clues: The great outdoors with walking, gourmet food and wine, regional farmers markets
What’s included?
Interested in booking a seat? Here’s what you can expect:
Economy – $737
- Private Qantas B737 flights
- Exclusive merchandise
- Inflight food and beverage
- Ground activities
- Lunch
- 2,400 Qantas points and 40 Status Credits
Business – $1579
- Economy inclusions, plus:
- Additional merchandise
- Business class inflight food and beverage
- Priority boarding
- Business Lounge access
- Additional perks during the day
- 5,000 Qantas points and 80 Status Credits
Note: Mystery flights don’t include checked bags or inflight entertainment
