The first sunrise of 2019 from the sky in Japan

Attend the first sunrise of the year from a plane? Yes, it is possible in Japan. Every year, several dozen passengers board planes on January 1st.

The first sunrise of 2019 (source:traicy)

A very special flight

It is an experience that many would not have missed for anything in the world, despite a very early awakening. The aircraft used for the occasion is a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Japan Airlines, registration JA875J (for the flight in 2019).

Pictures are taken before the boarding (source:traicy)

People are boarding (Source:traicy)

The aircraft used for the special flight (source:flyteam)

It took off from Tokyo-Narita airport at 6:01 a. m. It then reached his cruising altitude for this flight: 16,000 feet or about 4,890 meters. In order to best admire the sunrise with Mount Fuji in front, the Boeing has made several loops, allowing everyone to take a picture of this magnificent view, before heading south and turning around to return to Tokyo-Narita Airport.

The Mount Fuji during the sunrise(Source:traicy)

Flight 4599 will have lasted a total of 1 hour and 52 minutes. Another advantage of the flight is that you can enjoy a specially prepared breakfast and some passengers were even able to sit in business class

The JAL flight on Flight Aware 

The flight viewed on Flight Aware 

The first sunrise of 2019, seen over Mount Fuji on a special New Year's flight by All Nippon Airways (ANA) on January 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Kenji Yoneda)

A flight offered by another airline

All Nippon Airways also made a special flight for the New Year. This is the 19th time the Japanese airline has organized it. Before boarding, passengers were able to take pictures with airline staff dressed in kimonos, which reminded them of the New Year's atmosphere. ANA Flight 2019 departed the airport at 0540 with 109 passengers on board. At around 6:50 a.m., as the Boeing 787-8 flew over the city of Komagane, in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, the first rays of sunlight appeared from behind Mount Fuji and passengers took pictures with their cameras and smartphones.

The ANA attendants (source:mainichi)

A passenger taking a picture of the Mount Fuji (Source: traicy)

A successful communication operation

For both airlines, organizing special flights such as the New Year's flight highlights the quality of service, considered excellent for Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways by Skytrax, which has repeatedly voted them the best airlines in the world. This operation also creates a more important link with passengers, who can be retained. These flights should therefore take place again next year, offering passengers an exceptional view of Mount Fuji and the New Year's sunrise.

The JAL aircraft used for the flight (source:traicy)