A flight to Singapore with just one passenger on it. Image : Pexels
Flight for one: Surreal experience being only passenger on scheduled flight
A passenger on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Singapore shared their experience of being the flight’s only passenger.
A flight to Singapore with just one passenger on it. Image : Pexels
Long haul international flights are often considered to be tedious and uncomfortable experiences for most travellers, especially if travelling in economy class.
Having to get up to allow fellow passengers to pass – on their way to the lavatory, needing to stand in lines to use the toilet, or waiting for inflight meals or the bar service to reach your row are just some of the frustrations as a passenger on a long-haul flight.
SURREAL EXPERIENCE FOR ONE PASSENGER
Imagine being the only passenger on a huge passenger plane that usually carries hundreds of passengers at a time. Being the sole passenger on a flight might, however, turn out to be quite awkward or surreal.
One might be forgiven for half-heartedly wishing there were fewer or no other passengers on a flight. This experience was a reality for Mr Alex Svanevik, who was the only passenger on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Singapore.
Svanevik’s experience went viral after he shared on Twitter that he was the only passenger on the flight. Traveling as the sole passenger with just the crew was an experience Svanevik described as “100 percent true and 120 percent surreal”.
PERSONAL ATTENTION ON FLIGHT FOR 1
Norwegian national Alex Svanevik, who runs a business in Singapore, shared his experience on social media, describing the personal attention he received on an Etihad Airways flight.
“I’m alone on my flight to Singapore. The pilot makes all announcements starting with ‘Mr. Alexander,’” Svanevik tweeted.
Svanevik said he was personally welcomed to Singapore by the flight crew when they announced that the flight had landed at Changi Airport by saying: “Good morning, Mr. Alexander. Welcome to Singapore.”
SCHEDULED FLIGHT GOES AHEAD
Svanevik’s story sparked plenty of questions after he first tweeted about his experience. Several users asked Svanevik how and why this could have happened. As the tweet began spreading across the internet, many questioned why an international flight would take off with just one passenger on board.
Svanevik said in a tweet that the crew had assured him his flight would have operated regardless of the number of passengers on it.
According to Alarabiya News, Etihad Airways was the only scheduled commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to Singapore, on 28 September. The flight was operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner which has the capacity to carry up to 336 passengers. However, it carried just one passenger on that day.
COVID-19 IMPACT ON AIRLINES
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the implementation of travel restrictions which have led to a global slump in demand for air travel and tourism.
Airlines have suffered huge losses for more than the last 18 months, having to cover fixed costs while revenue streams have dwindled due to fewer passengers on their flights. Several airlines have suffered losses due to considerable cash burn during the pandemic.
