As international travel still looks to be a long way from returning to normal, airlines have been getting creative to give people the feeling of globetrotting without going anywhere. Recently, All Nippon Airways (ANA) offered luxury dining experiences on grounded aeroplanes and now some Japanese airlines have starting offering scenic flights within Japan skies but themed around different international destinations.
Japan Airlines (JAL) has teamed up with JTB, the largest travel agency in Japan, to offer special scenic flights which make you feel as if you are flying overseas. Currently, themed flights include ‘destinations’ such as Singapore and Taiwan.
To give you the full in-flight experience, the JAL aeroplanes are decorated based on the theme location while famous tourist attractions are shown as part of the in-flight entertainment. You’ll get to eat local delicacies for the in-flight meal; souvenirs from each destination are included in the amenity kits given out during the flight.
The next Singapore-themed flight will depart on May 23 and cost between ¥19,800 and ¥119,600. To book yourself a spot on the tour, visit here. If you’d rather experience a taste of Taiwan, the JAL Taiwan-themed flight is scheduled for June 5 and costs between ¥19,800 and ¥119,600. To book a spot, visit here. Both tours depart from Haneda Airport, take roughly three hours, and cruise over famous Japanese sites such as Mt Fuji.
ANA has also been offering similar tours using the special aircraft normally reserved for the Narita-Honolulu route. The three-and-a-half-hour scenic flight offers the same in-flight meal served on Hawaii routes, along with souvenirs including a special boarding certificate and a plush backpack in the shaped of Honu, ANA's sea turtle mascot. The next ANA 'Hawaii' tour departs from Narita Airport on Saturday July 31 and costs ¥38,000 for an economy aisle seat and ¥43,000 for an economy window seat. Reservations will open on Thursday May 20 and can be booked online here.
If you’d rather stay on the ground, check out these popular day trips from the capital.
This report was originally published on April 21 and updated on May 18.
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