Norse Dreamliner Makes Second Antarctic Landing

DALLAS — On November 15, 2024, at 10:55 local time, Norse Atlantic’s (N0) Boeing 787 Dreamliner (LN-FNC) named 'Everglades' successfully touched down for the second time at Antarctica's blue ice Troll Airfield (QAT), in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica.

The flight, which, carried 10,5 tons of research equipment and scientists for the Norwegian Polar Institute and Aircontact, Scandinavia's largest airbroker firm, followed the Oslo-Cape Town-Troll Airfield-Cape Town-Oslo route similar the airline’s first landing last year, including a stop in Cape Town, South Africa, before the final Antarctic leg.

The first flight, N0787, transported 12 tons of essential research equipment, including 45 scientists, to the remote Troll research station.

The historic journey began 48 hours prior to reaching the southernmost continent and the site of the South Pole. On November 13, 2023, the aircraft departed from Oslo Airport (OSL) and had a lengthy 40-hour layover in Cape Town (CPT), South Africa. LN-FNC took off from Cape Town at 23:03 on Wednesday and reached QAT at 02:01 local time on the same day.

Due to the absence of traditional paved runways in the Antarctic region, the 787-9 touched down on a "blue ice runway," which spans 3,000 meters in length and 60 meters in width.

The Season 5 premiere of The Airways Podcast features an informative conversation between Airways’ Chris Smith and Olov Lindström, the N0 Fleet Chief Pilot and the first person to captain a Boeing 787 to Antarctica.

During the episode, Capt. Lindström takes us on a deep dive into the special preparations necessary to make the flight to Antarctica as safe as possible. Listen to An Antarctic Adventure: Interview with Capt. Olov Lindström here.

Comments from Project Directors

“Returning to Antarctica with our Dreamliner reaffirms Norse Atlantic’s ability to handle complex logistical operations. We’re proud to demonstrate the capabilities and efficiency of our aircraft and operational excellence of the Norse Atlantic charter team, from meticulous planning to precise execution, demonstrating our role as a trusted partner for missions to even the most remote destinations”, expressed Mette Birkedahl, Director of Charter and ACMI at Norse Atlantic Airways.

"Landing such a large aircraft for the second time is an important milestone for us in Antarctica. It opens up new opportunities for logistics at Troll, as we can transport both more cargo and more people in the same flight, which will also help strengthen Norwegian research in Antarctica," says Director of Operations and Logistics John Guldahl at the Norwegian Polar Institute.

Daniel Carey, Air Broker and Spokesperson for Aircontact, one of the oldest air brokers globally, specializing in providing aviation services and serving as an important link for aviation missions, highlighted the Drealiner’s capacity and the importance of involving civil aviation authorities for operational quality and security and securing their approval ahead of the mission.

"To have Norse Atlantic Airways with the B787-900 as an ACE in the deck for the operator to Troll to support Norwegian Polar institute is a unique value in terms of not needing fuel and the cargo capacity that the B787-900 brings. Additionally, having Norse as a Norwegian operator under the Norwegian CAA adds another valuable asset."

Prior to N0's Dreamliner touchdown, the most notable commercial aircraft landing in Antarctica included the first-ever landing of an Airbus A340 on the continent by Hi Fly (5K) in 2021. Additionally, there is a long history of aviation in Antarctica, with various aircraft, including military planes and helicopters, having landed on the continent over the years. These landings have contributed to the exploration and logistical support of scientific research in Antarctica.

Norse Atlantic is set to complete a total of four charters to Antarctica dedicated to support scientific research.