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Taipei’s Songshan Airport recently launched a unique
“fake flight” service that gives melancholic travelers the chance to go
through the check-in and plane boarding procedures without actually
taking off.
Ever since Taiwan closed off its borders in mid-March, travelers have
been forced to dream and reminisce about their past adventures in
foreign lands, but on July 2nd, the Songshan Airport in Taipei
introduced an offbeat service that gives people the full airport
experience without the actual takeoff. The new fake flight service
includes airport security checks, passport verification, the full
check-in procedure, as well the boarding of an Airbus A330 airplane.
Cabin crew give passengers the usual instructions as well as some
relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, and serve them snacks and coffee,
before preparing them for the fake landing.
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“In addition to letting the participants go through security screening,
identification inspection and other immigration clearance procedures,
they actually boarded the plane to experience the fun of boarding,” Ting
Hsu, who works in Songshan Airport’s planning department, told CNN
Travel.
The airport first announced plans to introduce the fake flight service
in early June, inviting those willing to experience it to register. Over
7,000 people opted in, of which 180 were chosen for the first three
tours.
Taiwan carrier China Airlines operated the first “fake flight”, on July
2nd, and Eva Tours will host the second and third ones.
“I really want to leave the country, but because of the pandemic, lots
of flights cannot fly,” one fake traveler said.
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“I hope the epidemic ends soon so we can really fly away,” another woman
added.
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