Airport News Japan

“Hatsuhinode” Charter Flights from Haneda, Narita, Kansai - Airlines Make Plans Again This Year

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A sunrise view from an aircraft in the air.

Japanese airlines are operating “Hatsuhinode” charter flights on New Year’s Day, 2010. “Hatsuhinode” is the Japanese word for the first sunrise of the year.

The Hatsuhinode charter flights are special flights which depart from major airports and fly for about two hours in the skies above Mt. Fuji and elsewhere, allowing passengers to enjoy the first sunrise of the year from the window of an airplane above the clouds. Every year the flights are soon booked up due to their high popularity among not only aviation enthusiasts, but many people who consider them “auspicious” and “lucky.”

On New Year’s Day, Japan Airlines (JAL) will fly “2010 Hatsuhinode Hatsu-Fuji Flights” from Haneda, Narita and Kansai Airports. The Haneda flight will depart at 5:50 a.m. It is scheduled to circle over Mt. Fuji, the Izu Peninsula and near Oshima before returning to Haneda at 7:50 a.m. The fare for a set of two economy class window seats is 56,000 yen (for two people). Osechi bentos (boxed lunches with traditional Japanese New Year's food) and Red & White Manju will be distributed on the plane.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is operating a special tour for members of its Mileage Club from Haneda and Kansai Airports on “2010 New Year’s Day Hatsuhinode Flights.” The 5:45 departure from Haneda Airport will take a sightseeing course over Mt. Fuji. Economy class window seats are 60,000 yen for two people. Commemorative Passenger Certificates, gifts of special masuzake sake and other gifts will be prepared for passengers boarding the flights.

Star Flyer also plans to have a charter flight departing and arriving back at Kitakyushu Airport that will take in the first sunrise of the year from 10,000 meters high. Fare is 36,000 yen for two people.

According to an aviation industry spokesperson, operating the charter flights to enjoy the first sunrise of the year “probably only happens in Japan.”

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