NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS COMPLETES INAUGURAL ROUND-TRIP FLIGHTS TO ANTARCTICA FOLLOWING HISTORIC FIRST 'ANTARCTICA DIRECT' SAILING
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has achieved a historic milestone by completing its first-ever round-trip flights between Puerto Natales, Chile, and King George Island in Antarctica. The company has become the first and only expedition cruise operator to offer flights from Puerto Natales, introducing new 'Antarctica Direct' expeditions that reduce travel time by avoiding Drake Passage crossings.
These new itineraries include 8-, 9-, and 10-day expeditions with round-trip flights across the Drake Passage, offering more accessible opportunities for time-constrained travelers while maintaining substantial time on the continent. The company operates 11 unique Antarctic itineraries across four mission-built ships, building on its legacy since the first civilian expedition to Antarctica in 1966.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ha raggiunto una pietra miliare storica completando i suoi primi voli andata e ritorno tra Puerto Natales, Cile, e l'Isola di Re Giorgio in Antartide. L'azienda è diventata il primo e unico operatore di crociere di spedizione a offrire voli da Puerto Natales, introducendo le nuove spedizioni 'Antarctica Direct' che riducono i tempi di viaggio evitando le traversate del Passage di Drake.
Questi nuovi itinerari includono spedizioni di 8, 9 e 10 giorni con voli andata e ritorno attraverso il Passage di Drake, offrendo opportunità più accessibili per i viaggiatori a corto di tempo, mantenendo comunque un tempo sostanziale sul continente. L'azienda opera 11 itinerari unici in Antartide su quattro navi progettate appositamente, costruendo sulla sua eredità fin dalla prima spedizione civile in Antartide nel 1966.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ha logrado un hito histórico al completar su primer vuelo de ida y vuelta entre Puerto Natales, Chile, y la Isla Rey Jorge en la Antártida. La compañía se ha convertido en el primer y único operador de cruceros de expedición en ofrecer vuelos desde Puerto Natales, introduciendo las nuevas expediciones 'Antarctica Direct' que reducen el tiempo de viaje al evitar los cruces del Paso Drake.
Estos nuevos itinerarios incluyen expediciones de 8, 9 y 10 días con vuelos de ida y vuelta a través del Paso Drake, ofreciendo oportunidades más accesibles para los viajeros con poco tiempo, manteniendo un tiempo sustancial en el continente. La compañía opera 11 itinerarios únicos en la Antártida a través de cuatro barcos diseñados específicamente, construyendo sobre su legado desde la primera expedición civil a la Antártida en 1966.
내셔널 지오그래픽-린블라드 익스프레디션이 칠레 푸에르토 나탈레스와 남극 킹 조지 섬 간의 첫 왕복 비행을 완료하며 역사적인 이정표를 세웠습니다. 이 회사는 최초이자 유일한 탐험 크루즈 운영자가 되어 푸에르토 나탈레스에서 출발하는 비행을 제공하게 되었으며, 드레이크 해협을 피하는 새로운 '남극 직행' 탐험을 도입하여 여행 시간을 단축했습니다.
이 새로운 일정은 드레이크 해협을 가로지르는 왕복 비행을 포함한 8일, 9일 및 10일의 탐험을 제공하여 시간에 제약이 있는 여행자들에게 더 나은 기회를 제공하며, 대륙에서의 시간을 충분히 유지합니다. 이 회사는 1966년 첫 민간 남극 탐험 이래로 쌓아온 유산을 바탕으로 네 척의 임무 전용 선박을 통해 11개의 독특한 남극 일정을 운영하고 있습니다.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions a atteint un jalon historique en complétant ses tout premiers vols aller-retour entre Puerto Natales, au Chili, et l'île du Roi George en Antarctique. La société est devenue le premier et unique opérateur de croisières d'expédition à proposer des vols depuis Puerto Natales, introduisant de nouvelles expéditions 'Antarctica Direct' qui réduisent le temps de voyage en évitant les traversées du passage de Drake.
Ces nouveaux itinéraires incluent des expéditions de 8, 9 et 10 jours avec des vols aller-retour à travers le passage de Drake, offrant des opportunités plus accessibles pour les voyageurs pressés tout en maintenant un temps substantiel sur le continent. L'entreprise exploite 11 itinéraires uniques en Antarctique à bord de quatre navires conçus spécialement, s'appuyant sur son héritage depuis la première expédition civile en Antarctique en 1966.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions hat einen historischen Meilenstein erreicht, indem es seine ersten Rundflüge zwischen Puerto Natales, Chile, und der King George Insel in der Antarktis abgeschlossen hat. Das Unternehmen ist der erste und einzige Expeditions-Kreuzfahrtanbieter, der Flüge von Puerto Natales anbietet und hat neue 'Antarctica Direct' Expeditionen eingeführt, die die Reisezeit verkürzen, indem sie die Überquerung des Drake-Passes vermeiden.
Diese neuen Reiserouten umfassen 8-, 9- und 10-tägige Expeditionen mit Rückflügen über den Drake-Pass, die zeitlich eingeschränkten Reisenden zugängliche Möglichkeiten bieten und gleichzeitig ausreichend Zeit auf dem Kontinent verbringen. Das Unternehmen betreibt insgesamt 11 einzigartige antarktische Reiserouten auf vier speziell gebauten Schiffen und baut auf seinem Erbe seit der ersten zivilen Expedition zur Antarktis im Jahr 1966 auf.
- First-mover advantage in offering flights from Puerto Natales to Antarctica
- Expansion of product offering with new shorter Antarctica Direct expeditions
- Operational efficiency improvement by reducing travel time while maintaining exploration value
- Market differentiation through exclusive flight routes and unique itineraries
- None.
Insights
This strategic expansion into direct flights to Antarctica marks a significant operational milestone for LIND. The new "Antarctica Direct" program addresses a important market gap by offering shorter, more accessible expeditions while maintaining premium pricing power. By reducing travel time and offering flight options, LIND can potentially increase passenger turnover and revenue per vessel.
The operational efficiency gains are substantial - traditional 12-day voyages are now streamlined into 8-10 day expeditions, potentially allowing for more trips per season. This innovation could drive higher vessel utilization rates and improved margins. The company's first-mover advantage in Puerto Natales flights creates a competitive moat in the luxury expedition market.
With 20 vessels and 600+ annual departures, this operational enhancement positions LIND to capture growing demand for premium adventure travel while maintaining its market leadership in Antarctic tourism.
With Nearly 60 Years' Experience Exploring the White Continent, Lindblad Expeditions Proves There's Always More to be Discovered with Historic Departure
PUERTO NATALES,
The inaugural flights marked the beginning of the first-ever Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage expedition and the completion of the first-ever Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage voyage, both on board National Geographic Explorer. The two new itineraries are part of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions' brand-new series of shorter "Antarctica Direct" expeditions, which afford time-crunched travelers more accessible opportunities to visit
The completion of these round-trip flights also marked a historic milestone for Lindblad Expeditions—the operator of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions—which has been expertly leading voyages of discovery to the continent since being founded by the family of the pioneer of Antarctic tourism, Lars-Eric Lindblad, who led the first-ever non-scientific civilian expedition to the continent in 1966.
Addressing a full flight of guests during the inaugural return flight to Puerto Natales, Lindblad Expeditions Founder and CEO, Sven-Olof Lindblad, said, "We have considered incorporating the flight option for years, but we were concerned about the frequency of flight cancellations. In recent years, our partners have gained more experience and reliability has significantly improved, so we are beyond excited to now offer more unique ways to explore
Since 1966, the Lindblad family has brought civilian explorers to the White Continent to experience the wonder, beauty and incredible wildlife of this extraordinary location. Prior to the reveal of the new series of "Antarctica Direct" itineraries earlier this year, the traditional Antarctic voyage with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions averaged 12 days in length. However, travelers now have more opportunities to explore
Lindblad Expeditions is a founding member of the governing body promoting the safe and responsible exploration of Antarctica—the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)—and continues to play a vital role in developing and defining polar operation procedures for vessel personnel and guidelines for visitors. The Company also employs the most experienced expedition and ice masters in the world to captain its diverse fleet of intimately scaled ships in the region, having led more than 600 combined voyages to the continent to date.
To learn more about National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions'
About National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions:
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions reveals the beauty and wonder of the world through expertly led, deeply immersive modern expedition cruises designed for discovery and created for curious travelers seeking to experience the world from a new perspective. With 100+ unique itineraries visiting 70+ countries and territories on all seven continents aboard 20 state-of-the-art owned and chartered vessels, Lindblad Expeditions operates the largest, most diverse fleet of mission-built ships in the industry on behalf of the co-brand.
The National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand is the result of a decades-long strategic relationship between renowned exploration and scientific discovery brand National Geographic and the pioneer of modern expedition cruising Lindblad Expeditions.
Media can stay up to date on the latest news from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions by visiting press.expeditions.com. For reservations or additional information on voyages to some of the most beautiful, remote, and fascinating places on Earth, visit www.expeditions.com, call (855) 734-3271 to speak to an Expedition Specialist, or contact a travel advisor.
About Lindblad Expeditions:
Lindblad Expeditions, LLC, a subsidiary of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIND), is the recognized pioneer of modern expedition cruising, creating the category after the family led the first non-scientific civilian expedition to
With nearly 60 years of experience and operational excellence, Lindblad Expeditions now commands the largest, most diverse fleet of expedition ships in the industry, consisting of 20 owned and chartered mission-built vessels ranging in size from 16 – 148 guests. The Company offers over 100 unique itineraries across all seven continents, selling and operating over 600 annual departures on behalf of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand. Together, the two industry leaders deliver unmatched expertise, bringing together leading scientists, naturalists, and researchers to inspire travelers, highlight moments that elevate the soul, and foster a lifelong passion for the planet and its people.
To learn more about Lindblad Expeditions, its growing fleet, and the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand, visit www.expeditions.com.
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SOURCE National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
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