Taipei’s Songshan Airport launched the first “Fake Flight” service for grounded travelers

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 due coronavirus pandemic, travelers have been forced to dream and reminisce about their past adventures in foreign lands. However, a month ago, more precisely on July 2, the Songshan Airport introduced an offbeat service that gives people the full airport experience without to leave. The service includes airport security checks, passport verification, the full check-in procedure, as well the boarding of a real 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.

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.
Thus Taiwan carrier China Airlines operated the first fake flight on July 2, and Eva Tours 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. And we hope so too…