Flying during the holidays can be a drag. Lines are long. Delays are frequent. Flights are crowded. And that’s on top of the usual extra stress and fatigue of the holiday season itself.
But there is one exception: New Year’s flights. These aren’t just the flights taking place on December 31st, but the ones that are still in the air when the clock strikes midnight, marking the end of the year. Some airlines don’t commemorate this moment. For others, the excuse to throw a small celebration is too great to pass up.
If you’re flying on New Year’s day this year, consider the following tips and airline companies to greet 2020 in flight and in style.
Time Your New Year’s Flight with Midnight
The best part about this is you don’t need to fly a particular airline to do it. It relies instead on the timing of your landing, and it works like this.
As you might have noticed, most major cities have either official or amateur (and sometimes illegal) fireworks going off as the clock strikes midnight. Few people get a chance to view these amazing pyrotechnics from above, but if you book a flight set to land somewhere between midnight and 12:30, that’s exactly what you’ll be treated to: An aerial view of fireworks from the city you’ll be landing in. It’s a one-of-a-kind view, courtesy of the right choice in flight times.
This option is especially good for flights into Asian and South American cities, where pyrotechnics laws are more lax and the show is more widespread and impressive. That said, it works well for almost any metropolitan area in the world.
1. Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand is known for its quirky flair at every stage of the flight, beginning with hilarious pre-flight instruction videos, and continuing with occasional practical jokes at landing and disembarkation. The team is known for continuing this tradition on New Years’ flights.
Although there is no specific policy, passengers in the air at midnight on December 31st can expect some sort of celebration ranging from impromptu plays to free champagne, to a flight attendant led singalong. You won’t know for certain what to expect, as the airline appears to encourage creativity in its team members, but you should expect something fun and memorable.
2. Hawaii Air
Hawaii Air flights to any destination on New Yea’s Eve are reputed to be among the most fun, celebratory, and quirkily entertaining in the world. The “Aloha Spirit” in the airline’s mandate and culture is extra-strong on most holidays, and New Years is no exception.
Even better are Hawaii Air’s New Year flights arriving in Honolulu or other Hawaii airports. You’ll be greeted at the door with the airline’s trademark hospitality, marking the beginning of a New Year. And, because it’s Hawaii, you’ll step out of the airport into the balmy, warm, and welcoming weather that’s a great respite from the winter cold of many homes at this time of year.
3. Emirates
Emirates Airlines has long had a reputation for being among the most comfortable and amenity-rich airlines in the world, spoiling its passengers with a level of luxury unusual even for their region. They make no exceptions for their New Year’s flights, offering a complimentary toast (with or without alcohol) and party atmosphere for the holiday.
This is true for all Emirates New Year flights, but if you want a truly memorable experience book travel to Portugal or Spain to land in the early hours of January 1st.
If you’re flying on Emirates over the major cities of Europe, from East to West as midnight reaches the different time zones, you’ll be treated to a rolling light show as the celebrations kick off one by one on the ground below.
4. Virgin Airlines
It all started in 2015 when an Orlando-to-Manchester flight decided to entertain their passengers with a dance number to ring in the New Year. This was apparently a spontaneous decision by the flight crew, but gained so much press and social media notoriety that it’s now part of the company culture.
Described by reporter Skaiste Knyzaite, the scene was a “spectacular party, a true carnival.” And the tradition has continued on Virgin ever since. Virgin is not what one would normally call a budget airline, but those who do fly their New Years’ routes report not being disappointed.
5. Russian Airlines
New Year is the biggest holiday in Russian culture. A common belief is that the way you ring in the New Year gives an indication of how the rest of the new year will follow. That’s why a Russian airline may be one of the most fun flights to take over New Year’s Eve or day.
Although specific details are hard to find, some travelers report vodka and wine flowing freely, roving bands moving up and down the aisles to meet and greet their fellow passengers, and flight attendants staying sober but continuing their own celebrations throughout. The general consensus appears to be that as soon as it’s midnight anywhere, it’s time to get the party started.
This may not be the best choice for a family vacation, but if you’re adventurous and flying on December 31st it’s worth considering.
The Extended New Year
This one’s not a specific airline or flight, but it’s something you can do with any airline to make New Year’s a little more fun. If flying eastbound across the Pacific ocean late on the 31st, something interesting happens.
- Step One: You board your plane late on the 31st.
- Step Two: The clock strikes midnight, and the new year is ushered in.
- Step Three: You cross the International Date Line, and suddenly, it’s last year again!
- Step Four: You get to celebrate the New Year twice.
As we said, you can make this happen by paying attention to the timing of flights, especially if you are returning to North or South America from places in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Just check the flights, do the math, and have fun!
