Pack your bags! Destination: Nowhere

Would you book a flight that didn't actually go anywhere except right back to the airport you took off from? It appears many actually would. Reuters reports that Qantas Airways Ltd sold out a "scenic flight" over the Australian Outback and Great Barrier Reef in only 10 minutes.

It isn't just Qantas, airlines all over the world are launching these flights, and people are taking them. Ever early to setting the tone these days, Taiwan in early July offered "pretend to go abroad" experiences, followed up in early August with special actual flights to nowhere on an EVA Hello Kitty plane featuring a Michelin-starred in-flight meal.

Singapore Airlines, which recently let go of 4,300 staff because of the crushing blow the pandemic has had on air travel, is also considering flights to nowhere to give a lift to business.

**Short edition this week as next week I've got a big one with LinkedIn's Top Startups 2020 coming, so stay tuned for that!

Meanwhile, would you get on a flight to nowhere? Let's look at some of the pros and cons to this.

? Pros

? You'll be supporting the airline industry. Which is in dire need of passengers in the midst of the pandemic. You'll be doing them a solid by booking a flight.

? You might scratch that travel itch to just get on a plane and go somewhere, even if that somewhere lands you right back where you started. It's the thrill and joy of the travel itself that can really get the travel juices flowing for some people.

? Airplanes have probably never been as clean as they are today. When you break out the wet wipe to scrub down the tray on the seat in front of you, you're probably just giving it a second go over, whereas before the pandemic people would look at you like you're some kind of clean freak if they saw you doing it.

? You'll get to taste that sweet airline food again, or in the case of the Hello Kitty EVA flight, Michelin-starred meals.

? You can pack your neglected bags, even if only for a day trip.

? Cons

? Intentionally sealing yourself in a metal tube with recycled air that circles pointlessly in the heavens in the middle of a pandemic with an airborne virus.

? Money. This kind of travel definitely falls into the "those who can afford to do it" category as opposed to those who have to travel because they absolutely must.

? Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 exists.

? You can't really brag about the amazing vacation you took to your friends. No beach destination Instagram selfies...then again airplane window snaps are few and far in between on social feeds these days.

? This probably won't appeal to those who look at flying as a chore rather than a joy.

Alternatively...

If not, you could always visit Thai Airways International's plane-themed restaurant at their headquarters in Bangkok.

(PHOTO: Getty Images)

Or if you're in Tokyo you could get the in-flight experience through virtual reality with First Flight.

?? What's your interest in taking a flight to nowhere? Leave a comment and I may feature the best ones.