Antarctica is the one continent almost no one sees. A scenic flight changes that in a single day. You leave from an Australian capital city in the morning, cross the Southern Ocean, spend hours tracking low over ice shelves, glaciers and mountain ranges, and you are home the same evening. No passport, no expedition ship, no landing.
Antarctica Flights operate on a Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner with full Qantas International service. The 2026 and 2027 season departs from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, and the seating categories with window access are the first to sell out.
Departure Dates
| Departure city |
Dates |
|
| Melbourne |
15 November 2026 31 December 2026 |
A better way to see in the new year |
| Sydney |
22 November 2026 14 February 2027 |
What a Valentine’s gift |
| Brisbane |
29 November 2026 21 February 2027 |
|
| Perth |
26 January 2027 |
|
Seating Options
Every category except Explorer rotates seats at the halfway point of the flight, so window and aisle passengers swap and everyone gets time at the glass. The arrows below show how each cabin rotates.
| Seat rotation |
Category |
What to expect |
 |
Explorer Economy Class |
Explorer seats do not have direct access to a window. Passengers are free to stand in the aisles and common areas to enjoy the Antarctic views. Passengers will enjoy Qantas International service and award winning inflight entertainment system. |
 |
Standard Economy Class |
These are the four seats on each side of the aircraft in the Economy Class section over or near the wing, which can obstruct viewing. The window and the adjacent aisle seats will be exchanged at the halfway point of the journey. |
 |
Superior Economy Class |
The rear Economy Class section is reserved for Superior Economy Class passengers. All seat rows have excellent viewing. Superior seats are the four seats on each side of the aircraft and will be exchanged halfway through. |
 |
Premium Economy Class |
Qantas’ International Premium seats have larger seats and seat pitch than Economy Class seats. Seats are located over the wing, which can obstruct viewing. Each passenger will have a window seat or the seat next to a window seat for half of the flight and an aisle seat or adjacent for the other half of the flight. |
 |
Business Class |
Business seats are set at the leading edge of the plane’s wing, which means there will be a slight viewing obstruction. With full international business class service, all seats are either a window or aisle seat. Passengers will swap at the halfway point of the journey. With ample space, enjoy the room to spread out. |
 |
Business Class Deluxe |
Admire aerial views of Antarctica in utmost comfort in Business Deluxe seats with full international business class service. All seats are either a window or aisle seat, and passengers will swap at the halfway point of the journey, which means everyone will have unobstructed views of the beautiful Antarctica. |
The Onboard Experience
| Antarctic expeditioners |
Meet Antarctic explorers onboard, experience live crosses to research stations and watch documentaries. |
| Antarctic viewing |
The ultimate bird’s-eye view over the breathtaking Antarctic continent. |
| Full bar service |
Full bar service with chilled champagne, wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks throughout the journey. |
| Meal service |
Two full-service Qantas meals plus in-flight snacks throughout the day. |
| Explorer kit |
Take home maps and stats to become an Antarctic expert. |
| Entertainment system |
Watch Antarctic documentaries, movies or TV shows on the entertainment system. |
Good To Know
- The flight returns to its city of departure on the same day. There is no landing in Antarctica.
- Seating categories sell out at different rates, and the window-access categories go first.
Talk to us about availability on your preferred departure date and seating category, and we will hold what is left.