Taiwan continues to cater to the needs of its travel-starved population by offering yet another aviation experience that doesn’t actually take you anywhere. Following up on an offer in July, in which the public was able to check in and board a grounded airplane in Taiwan’s Sonshan Airport, one airline has just upgraded the faux travel experience by offering an actual flight — to nowhere.
EVA Air, one of the biggest carriers in Taiwan, is offering the special journey on August 8 (Father’s Day in Taiwan) to help satisfy its customers’ travel itch. The trip will take around three hours, with the flight taking off from Taipei Taoyuan Airport, then circling the skies before returning to the same airport. If it’s a clear day, passengers will be able to take in views of several Taiwan attractions including Guishan Island and the scenic Huadong coastline, as well as other nearby islands.
Passengers will be flying on the “super popular” Hello Kitty Dream jet.The plane bears EVA Air’s special Sanrio-themed livery. An A330, it features many Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, My Melody (Hello Kitty’s BFF), as well as Little Twin Stars’ Kiki and Lala. They can expect Hello Kitty in-flight amenities, free WiFi for texting and an inflight entertainment system that is usually reserved for long-haul flights. Inflight dining is another highlight of the trip, offering a choice of two main courses created by a 3-star Michelin chef.
The flight will be operated under flight number BR5288. Why? When spoken, it sounds like “I love dad” in Chinese. An economy class ticket is $180. Passengers can choose to upgrade their seats to business class for an additional $34.
International tourism has been effectively stopped in much of the world as countries shut their borders to stem outbreaks of Covid-19 and Taiwan is no exception. The island locked down its borders in March amid the growing coronavirus pandemic. Foreign nationals are still banned from visiting the island at this time.
—
“you know the actor, john garfield? in one movie he walked up to this train station, the ticket booth, and the guy says, “yes, where are you going?” and he says, “i want a ticket to nowhere.” i thought, that’s it. i want the freedom to do that. i want a ticket to nowhere.” -wayne shorter
—
photo and story source: cnn travel
I like to travel, but not that much. This sounds crazy to me.
LikeLiked by 3 people
all is can say is there must be enough people to make it a go –
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the absurdity of this —and John Garfield’s caper 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes to both
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG! 🙂
LikeLike
Innovative!
LikeLiked by 1 person
filling a need –
LikeLike
Yes.
LikeLike
I heard the story about the first experience of just sitting on a grounded plane on Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me. I think I’ll pass on both options. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
they must have had a good response, to have expanded it – amazing
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sound good 😛 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
))
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could do with an edit button for that one
LikeLiked by 1 person
))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Beth, people here can offer car trips around the blocks to break up the house monotony. Wait, it’s here already. Taxi, Uber, Lyft …
LikeLiked by 1 person
There you go!
LikeLike
Now that’s an interesting concept: a plane flight to nowhere in particular. This past December, with the definite purpose of getting from Austin to the Philippines. we flew EVA Air out of Seattle. Back then in Seattle at least we didn’t have to worry about defending ourselves against rioters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, I’ve never heard of them before
LikeLike
I’m pretty sure I’d heard of EVA Air but that was the first time we flew with them. Normally I would’ve taken Cathay Pacific through Hong Kong, but last December the people in Hong Kong were still having mass protests against the tyranny of the Chinese Communist government, and I was concerned that if I booked a route through Hong Kong our flight might end up getting canceled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, that makes sense
LikeLike
I would definitely not go on a flight to nowhere, Beth. Flying in order to get someplace is bad enough for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Use your money elsewhere on something you’d enjoy – some other form of ‘escape’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, I would rather read a good book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Kitty flight. LOL How about one with real cats for cat lovers, or dogs for those who love dogs? I mean birthday flights for kids, with Disney characters, or plants for gardeners. LOLOL I think it’s a great idea and the flights could be for book lovers, so the plane would look like a beautiful library and they could fly over bookstores. Hahahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d like to fly over meadows of wildflowers and fields of sunflowers 🌻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, perfect!
LikeLike
I’d love to travel on it but $180 is a bit too much for not going anywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm…if you’re going to Nowhere, do you really need a ticket? Isn’t the town of Cognito in Nowhere? I’ll have to check a map.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s easy to get lost when heading there
LikeLiked by 1 person
I imagine that some people would go for this, but I have to think that the percentage is small. When I saw your title, Ticket to Nowhere, I thought—Wait! People are paying money to get on an airplane that sits on the runway? While I like the notion of traveling cross-country in a few hours, planes are far too confining for me, particularly in the COVID era.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The initial ‘flight’ was just that, never leaving the runway. This one is a step up –
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a market for everything, isn’t there?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like we have left Planet Logic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, we are way out beyond
LikeLike
I love the idea in concept, but since I flew last week and had to wear a mask for 8 solid hours, I think I will watch them circle overhead and wave instead! Terrific story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
same here! i always so fascinated by the things that people come up with
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some people are born to work in marketing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
absolutely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating what becomes important to us – and what we’ll do to ‘Get Away’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone is craving it
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a brilliant idea! I would do it!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Start
Packing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s go!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
did the tickets come with a free Hoover vacuum? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’ll never forget your post about that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Hello Kitty and all Sanrio characters but I wouldn’t board this plane, especially not now with this pandemic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i understand completely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! How creative is this!!??
LikeLiked by 1 person
someone recognized and filled a need
LikeLike
That is fascinating and if the virus is outside its borders, makes sense. But I am still not comfortable flying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
i so get that
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did people book this flight or? It sounds ridiculous, but I understand how desperate we all are not just for travel but for novelty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’m guessing some did, and was an expansion on their earlier ‘trip’ that just stayed on the runway
LikeLike
Crazy. We are all longing for travel so bad, no?
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, that’s it –
LikeLike
Wow. love it. Someone is really thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great way to keep jobs too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea, if it is a clear day and they fly over something wonderful.
LikeLike