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.
“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.
While most flights in Taiwan are still grounded because of the Covid-19 outbreak, Taipei Songshan Airport is offering locals a tiny taste of travel, dubbed "pretend to go abroad" airport tours. https://t.co/DKl4l0uJ2a— CNN (@CNN) July 3, 2020
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.
“I hope the epidemic ends soon so we can really fly away,” another woman added.
