Flying to Antarctica: Inside Polar Latitudes Expeditions’ New Fly-Cruise Expedition Programme

For generations of explorers, reaching Antarctica has meant crossing one of the most famous bodies of water on Earth. The Drake Passage, the stretch of ocean separating South America from the Antarctic Peninsula, has become almost mythological among travellers. For some, its unpredictable seas are part of the pilgrimage to the planet’s last great wilderness.

But a new generation of expedition travel is reshaping how visitors reach the White Continent.

Polar Latitudes Expeditions has now introduced its own fly-cruise programme to Antarctica, allowing travellers to fly across the Drake Passage and board an expedition vessel already in the South Shetland Islands. The concept is not new, but it dramatically reduces travel time while preserving the immersive expedition experience that defines small-ship Antarctic exploration.

The new itinerary reflects both changes in traveller expectations and the rapid evolution of expedition cruising over the past decade. According to Steffan Danino, Head of Product Development at Polar Latitudes Expeditions, whom I have met several times and is highly knowledgeable in polar travel planning, the idea developed as the company expanded its fleet and began exploring new ways to reach Antarctica.

“Since approximately October last year, there were several factors leading to the creation of this product." Said Steffan to ExplorEarth. "Firstly, we have undergone a massive fleet expansion, from two to four top vessels in the Antarctic. This gives us the 'bandwidth' to offer these cruises, as our larger vessels can remain on our ever-popular, tried-and-tested routes. Secondly, we are seeing increased demand for shorter Antarctic voyages. As the market expands and Antarctic voyages become more accessible, we find more and more working people (who may only have 10 days of holiday a year) wishing to visit Antarctica, allowing them to fit an Antarctic trip into their annual vacation. Finally, we want to stay at the cutting edge of Antarctic cruising, and many of our competitors are offering similar products. In order to compete and stay ahead of the game, we sought to offer an even greater variety of Antarctic voyages.”

Traditionally, most Antarctic expeditions begin in Ushuaia, Argentina, where travellers board a small expedition vessel and sail south across the Drake Passage. The crossing typically takes two days each way, meaning that as much as four days of a voyage may be spent at sea before even reaching the Antarctic Peninsula.

Fly-cruise expeditions take a different approach. Travellers instead begin their journey in Punta Arenas, Chile, a historic gateway to the polar regions located on the Strait of Magellan. Here, guests meet the expedition team, attend safety briefings, and undergo biosecurity procedures designed to protect Antarctica’s fragile ecosystems.

After preparation, travellers board a chartered flight to King George Island, located in the South Shetland Islands, one of the northernmost island groups of Antarctica and home to several international research stations. From there, travellers transfer by Zodiac to the expedition ship Ocean Nova, a small ice-strengthened vessel designed specifically for polar exploration.

For many travellers, the appeal of this model is obvious.

“Honestly, it does what it says on the tin - skip the Drake!" Says Danino. "The Drake Passage remains 'controversial' in that some guests want it to be as long and as rough as possible as a right of passage (yes, really, I hear it all the time), whereas many more see it simply as an unavoidable part of the journey to get there.”

The expedition itself, however, remains the same.

“The actual Antarctic expedition experience will be identical to, if not even more adventurous than, on our Infinity-Class vessels.”

One of the defining elements of Polar Latitudes expeditions is the small size of its ships.

The fly-cruise programme operates aboard Ocean Nova, a polar expedition vessel carrying fewer than 100 guests. That size is significant in Antarctica, where strict environmental guidelines limit the number of visitors allowed ashore at any one time.

“Simply put, it allows us to ensure we can fit as much into a short experience as possible," Danino added. "Ocean Nova carrying under 100 guests means that we can bring all guests ashore at once (due to the 100 pax IAATO rule), and/or get all our guests off the ship at once.”

This flexibility allows expedition teams to maximise exploration opportunities.

“Coupled with the undeniable fact that delays do happen on flights to Antarctica, it means that when our guests are onboard, we can make the absolute most of their short time onboard.”

Smaller ships also offer a different style of travel. Expedition vessels function more like floating base camps, allowing guests to move quickly between landing sites, explore narrow channels filled with icebergs, and respond dynamically to wildlife sightings.

For fly-cruise guests, the first encounter with Antarctica can happen almost immediately.

“I would say literally once they step off the plane, they will land on a new continent", added Danino, "surrounded by scientific station buildings, etc., and will probably see penguins on the beach before they even get on the Zodiacs to embark Ocean Nova.”

Once guests reach the ship, maritime safety procedures must still be completed before exploration begins.

“Once onboard, we will conduct our mandatory safety and lifeboat drills (which must by law be completed before sailing), and we would therefore expect the first landings and other Zodiac operations to begin the morning after embarkation.”

Weather and flight timing may occasionally allow exploration to begin even sooner.

“It is possible that if, e.g. the flight arrives early to take advantage of a weather window, we may be able to begin exploring on the Zodiacs the same day, but of course, weather is weather, and that can't be guaranteed.”

Operating flights into Antarctica is far more complex than conventional aviation. Weather systems change quickly, and the continent’s remote infrastructure means contingency planning is essential. I asked Danino about adverse weather being a factor in planning these fly-cruises and whether it can affect timings. 

“It certainly can! This is part of why we will run these voyages at the peak of the season during the high summer, when weather conditions are most stable.”

Polar Latitudes has also built additional flexibility into the itinerary, Danino adds.

“Unlike most operators, we have two post-voyage nights for our guests in Punta Arenas on their return. Should it not be possible to fly on the planned day, we therefore have up to 48h of 'contingency time' to wait for a weather window while our guests are comfortably accommodated at Hotel Cabo de Hornos.”

Once the expedition begins, travellers experience the same wildlife-rich regions that have made Antarctic expeditions famous.

Most exploration takes place along the Antarctic Peninsula and the Gerlache Strait, one of the most dramatic landscapes in the polar world.

Towering glaciers spill into icy bays, while wildlife thrives in extraordinary numbers.

“All of the things our guests want to do and see (kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, penguins, seals, whales, icebergs, glaciers, mountains, amazing views, photo opportunities, research stations, etc.) can all be found in the Gerlache Strait area, which is as far as most vessels ever venture,” Danino advises, and he's not wrong. ExplorEarth's Billy Heaney described the seas of the Strait on a visit last year as 'Humpback Soup', a term that has stuck. 

Fly-cruise itineraries also provide more opportunities to explore the South Shetland Islands, the gateway region where travellers first arrive.

“The South Shetland Islands. Guests will fly to the South Shetland Islands to embark the vessel and set foot there; additionally, should flights etc be delayed, it gives guests the opportunity to explore this area, which most vessels just pass through on their way north or south.”

According to Danino, the fly-cruise format attracts several types of travellers.

“I think it is a mix of three kinds of traveller - those who are usually working and are very short on vacation time; guests who want to experience Antarctica along with other destinations in South America and want to cut sailing days they may see as 'unnecessary wasted time'; and finally - people who suffer badly from seasickness and want to visit Antarctica, for whom the continent, not the journey and the fact of being on the ship is the goal.”

Despite its growing popularity, fly-cruise is unlikely to replace traditional expeditions entirely.

“I strongly believe it is complementary… Many guests still really want to cross the (Right Of) Drake Passage, and the birdwatching, lectures, and general excitement and romance of approaching the last continent by sea is a huge part of the experience.”

Infrastructure also limits how widely the model can expand.

“There is very much a 'ceiling' on fly-cruise voyages as currently there is only one runway usable for civilian traffic on the Antarctic Peninsula.”

For Danino, Antarctica’s appeal remains deeply personal.

“My first experience of Antarctica was as a green 23-year old Expedition Team Member who frankly had no bloody clue what he was doing! But it is impossible not to fall in love with Antarctica - the wildlife is, of course, incredible, and the majesty of the scenery is simply incomparable.”

Having also spent time in the Arctic, he sees the two polar regions as fundamentally different.

“The Arctic and the Antarctic are just incomparable - literally the only thing they have in common is that they are both cold.”

Each region offers something unique to Danino.

“While nowhere can compete with Antarctica for sheer majesty, it possesses it in one way, whereas every corner of the Arctic is different and magnificent in its own way.”

For travellers arriving by air or sea, the result is the same: a journey into one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth.