holiday flights

How to join Finnair’s virtual reality flights to visit Santa

What does Santa do after he finishes all that hard work delivering presents on Christmas Eve?

He’ll go up the last chimney, climb into his sleigh, and make his way home to Rovaniemi, Lapland.

That’s the Christmas story Helsinki-based Finnair, “Santa’s official airline,” believes. And they’re backing it up with a series of eight virtual reality (VR) flights to visit Santa once he’s home.

Finnair’s VR flights are open for booking and take place between December 25th and December 30. The cost is €10 per person, or about $12. And all the profits will go to UNICEF’s fund to help children adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The immersive 360-degree virtual reality flights are created by Finnish VR studio Zoan and will be viewable on VR headsets, mobile phones, or laptops.

For these special flights, Finnair is giving all travelers virtual business class seats. And from that vantage point, it should be easy to look out the window and take in the starry skies and incredible views of the northern lights.

The VR experience also promises flight soundscapes, festive decorations, and, for those who have been nice and not naughty, a “glimpse of a familiar festive figure sitting in one of the other seats.”

Who could that be??

Once the virtual flight lands in Rovaniemi, Finnair says travelers will be able to virtually cross the Arctic Circle and visit Santa in his cabin.

If you show and he find him sleeping after his long night out, please don’t wake him up.

Holiday treats for Lufthansa passengers

Airports and airlines are getting in the holiday spirit and Lufthansa is no exception.

All this month, the carrier is offering treats and surprises for passengers.

In Frankfurt,visitors to the Lufthansa First Class Lounge and First Class Terminal are being served a holiday meal of roasted duck with caramelized red cabbage, potato cranberry-dumplings and goose liver Figaro.

And all Lufthansa lounges are serving sweet pastries such as Stollen cake, roasted almonds and fresh-baked cookies.

On flights, there are decorated advent wreaths and small chocolate gifts for all passengers. And, beginning on December 12, children flying on Lufthansa will be presented with little teddy bears named Paul and Sam.