Airline Industry, What Are the No-Landing Sightseeing Flight Schedules for March?

On the 20th, passengers of Air Seoul's overseas non-stop flight moved to the boarding gate at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport.

Air Seoul's overseas non-stop flight departed from Incheon Airport, circled over Japanese airspace, and returned, achieving a 98% occupancy rate, receiving high interest from passengers.

Air Seoul plans to operate overseas non-stop flights three times in March on the 6th, 14th, and 21st. /Photo by Airport Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The aviation industry will continue to operate a large number of no-landing sightseeing flights next month as an alternative measure in response to the impact of COVID-19.

According to the industry on the 27th, Korean Air will operate no-landing sightseeing flight products on the 6th, 13th, and 27th next month in collaboration with Hanjin Travel. On this day, Korean Air conducted an international no-landing sightseeing flight departing from Incheon Airport using the superjumbo aircraft A380, flying over Gangneung, the East Coast, Busan, the Korea Strait, and Jeju airspace before returning. The seats sold totaled 223, including 12 First Class seats, 47 Prestige Class seats, and 164 Economy Class seats, with mileage rewards provided according to each class.

Asiana Airlines will also operate sightseeing flights three times next month on the 14th, 20th, and 28th. In the sightseeing flights operated this month, Business Smartium class tickets could be purchased by deducting 50,000 miles, and Economy class tickets could be purchased by deducting 15,000 miles, which is a 50% discount compared to the regular fare.

Jeju Air will operate flights on the 7th, 13th, and 21st next month. The itinerary departs from Incheon International Airport, circles over Tsushima Island, and returns to Incheon International Airport. Passengers on these flights can purchase duty-free goods up to $600 per person. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, only 114 seats per flight are sold, and advance seat selection is not available.

T'way Air will operate on the 20th and 27th. When pre-ordering from the onboard duty-free shop, customers can receive up to a 60% discount. The sightseeing flight fare starts from 108,000 KRW.

Jin Air will operate the most no-landing international sightseeing flights in the industry next month, with five flights on March 1st (Independence Movement Day), and weekends on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th. The itinerary departs from Incheon Airport, flies over Daegu, Busan, and Japanese airspace, and returns. On the 1st, 7th, 21st, and 28th, flights depart Incheon Airport at 12:30 PM and arrive at 2:30 PM, while on the 14th, the flight departs at 3:20 PM. Cabin crew members from the in-flight event specialized team ‘Delight Genie’ will prepare onboard events offering prizes such as free domestic round-trip tickets and travel duffel bags.

Air Seoul will operate three no-landing international sightseeing flights next month on the 6th, 14th, and 21st. In cooperation with the small Japanese cities of Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture) and Yonago (Tottori Prefecture), the flights will circle over these two cities. The schedule is March 6th and 14th departing Incheon International Airport at 10:00 AM and arriving at 12:30 PM, and March 21st departing at 3:00 PM and arriving at 5:30 PM.

Air Busan will operate four flights next month on the 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. The itinerary departs from Incheon, flies to Busan and Tsushima Island (Japan), and returns to Incheon. Air Busan will give all passengers on the no-landing international sightseeing flights next month a Lotte beauty kit through a partnership with Lotte Duty Free, and passengers who win the lucky draw event will receive prizes such as free airline tickets.