A New Tourist Destination: Antarctica Reachable by Passenger Jet

There may be colder than the most tourist destination, but the journey to Antarctica will certainly be an unforgettable experience. At the end of November, the first passenger jet landed on the frozen track at the cold continent. Tourist agency “Antarctic Logistics and Expedition” organized flight “Boeing 757” of the Icelandic airline “Loftleidir”, to “demonstrate the feasibility of landing commercial transport aircraft” in the Antarctic.

This has paved the way for future passenger flights in Antarctica, which could change the way people would go to the southernmost continent. So far, most of the tourists traveled there by boat, and the company “ALE”, based in Staffordshire, it is a the few airlines that fly there. The company transports passengers into cargo planes fitted with seats to be suitable for transporting people. The switch to traditional passenger aircraft would facilitate emergency evacuation and offered them more comfort to passengers, announced the Huffington Post company spokeswoman.

It is expected that the passenger plane for two or three years will become an integral part of the company’s services “ALE”, but until then overseas ships will remain mainly a vehicle to Antarctica. The ships often depart from Argentina through Drake Passage carry the passengers to Antarctica.

There is an opportunity for going there by plane. Each week “ALE” provides transportation of passengers from Chile, and all information on transport by plane or boat, can be found on the website of the International Association of travel agencies that organize trips to Antarctica – International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators.

By boat you can visit the South Shetland Islands, you can go camping, to paddle a kayak, or watch whales and penguins. Those who opt for a flight with the company “ALE”, may embark on Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica.

The flights of the company “ALE” cost at least 24,000 dollars, and the price includes accommodation and meals for a week. Travelling by boat is cheaper. The company “Quark Expeditions” for example offers 11 days of travel to Argentina at a price of 5995 dollars.