United Airlines is set to provide passengers with a unique and memorable experience as they usher in the New Year, granting some travelers the opportunity to revel in New Year’s celebrations twice within a span of hours, reminiscent of the iconic movie “Back to the Future.” While not involving a DeLorean, these exceptional journeys will take place across time zones, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for those aboard certain flights.
Flight UA200, scheduled to depart from Guam at 7:35 a.m. on January 1st, will land in Honolulu at 6:50 p.m.Passengers on this flight will have the extraordinary chance to partake in New Year’s Eve festivities in the U.S. territory before jetting off to Hawaii to relive the celebrations once more.
While the dual New Year’s celebrations will be exclusive to passengers on UA200, a total of 209 different flights, accounting for 5.5 percent of all United Airlines departures on December 31st, will mark the occasion above the clouds.
A spokesperson for United Airlines expressed enthusiasm for the unique experience, stating, “There’s something truly memorable about the camaraderie and excitement of celebrating New Year’s Eve at 35,000 feet and the joy of getting individuals to their destination as they kick off their new year. We look forward to welcoming customers on board to celebrate the start of 2024 with us in the friendly skies.”
Although celebrations may differ across flights, passengers could anticipate special traditions and unique experiences onboard. Matty Hawkins, a United flight attendant for nearly 19 years, shared his varied experiences celebrating New Year’s Eve while in the air, mentioning instances of serving Champagne to passengers, engaging in countdowns with pilots, and witnessing fireworks displays from above as cities celebrate across different time zones.
The inaugural flight of the year for United Airlines, flight UA158, is scheduled to depart from the Pacific island of Palau at 2:05 a.m. on January 1st, en route to Guam.
For those not partaking in airborne New Year’s revelry, numerous spectacular festivities await on the ground across cities worldwide, from the iconic Times Square in New York City to celebrations in Sydney, London, Paris, and beyond.