Antarctica’s Fastest Route Just Got Its Biggest Season Yet

Antarctica21 has opened bookings for its 2028-29 air-cruise season with 47 scheduled departures, the most in the company’s history. Every trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile. The season marks 25 years since the concept began in 2003, when the company first flew guests over the water rather than sailing across it.

The pitch is time. Instead of two days each way across the Drake Passage, guests fly directly to Antarctica in about two hours and board their expedition ship there. Flights depend on weather, so schedules can shift, and the company notes that landings and wildlife encounters also depend on conditions, sea ice and operations. The ships are Magellan Explorer and Magellan Discoverer, both purpose-built for polar waters.

Itineraries focus on the Antarctic Peninsula, with Classic Antarctica and Polar Circle options. Guests also get access to Explorers House, the company’s private expedition club in Punta Arenas, which serves as a base before and after the flights. These details matter for anyone with limited vacation days, since the air link compresses what would otherwise be a lengthy voyage.

Pricing details are limited, but early-booking savings of up to US$5,000 per person are available on eligible departures for new bookings made before January 31, 2027, subject to cabin availability, and the offer may end early if promotional inventory sells out. As with any polar trip, travelers should review cancellation terms and insurance, especially because weather can delay the flights that define the product.

Sources: Travel And Tour World, Travel Daily News