'I'm an experienced pilot but there's one place in the world I would never fly'
A long-haul airline pilot has revealed the one place in the world he avoids. Despite having more than 10,000 flying hours under his belt and two decades of flying experience in places across the globe, he steers clear of one location.
Commercial airline pilot, Richard Wells, spent more than 22 years flying across Europe, Asia and the Americas before retiring. But there's a spot on his no-fly list because the conditions are far too extreme.
The 54-year-old said he draws the line at flying in Antarctica. According to travel experts from Wildfoot Travel, Richard is not alone. They said that seasoned pilots with vast experience will avoid the area thanks to its unpredictable and unforgiving conditions.
Tourists to the area will usually get their own specialised expedition vessels rather than on a commercial aircraft for this reason, reports The Mirror.
Richard said he has encountered every type of flight scenario in his time in the skies, but explained why Antarctica is a no go.
He said: "I've flown into mountainous regions, remote islands and through tropical storms. But Antarctica? That's different.
" Weather changes with no warning, there are no proper runways in most areas, and if something goes wrong — there's no backup. It's not worth the risk.
While a limited number of flights do operate into the continent, particularly to King George Island, these are highly regulated and weather-dependent, with frequent delays and cancellations due to sudden whiteouts, high winds, and near-zero visibility.
Commercial airline pilots do not fly there. Only highly specialised charter flights or military and scientific missions operate in the region.
Richard added: 'There's no margin for error. The infrastructure is minimal, and even experienced flight crews have limited options if conditions deteriorate mid-flight. That's not something I'd ever gamble with.'
In addition to visibility and runway issues, the lack of air traffic control, unpredictable jet streams, and absence of emergency diversion routes all add to the risk. Despite the aviation challenges, Antarctica remains a dream destination for thousands of British tourists every year.
Wildfoot Travel reports a sharp increase in interest for 2025 departures, especially for those seeking to explore the continent's wildlife, towering glaciers, and surreal landscapes without relying on direct air access.
Their most popular options include:
Small-ship cruises from Ushuaia, Argentina, crossing the Drake Passage
Fly-cruise hybrids, where travellers fly to King George Island and board an expedition vessel
Extended voyages including the Falklands and South Georgia, known for penguin megacolonies and elephant seals
All itineraries are supported by expert guides, marine biologists, and ice navigation crews trained specifically for polar conditions.
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Passengers also benefit from daily landings, often by Zodiac boat, with chances to see Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, whales, leopard seals, and towering icebergs up close — something impossible to do by air alone.
Antarctica is not only the coldest and windiest continent, but also one of the most aviation-unfriendly. There are no large-scale commercial airports, minimal navigation aids, and the environment can shift rapidly with little warning.
Extreme temperatures also regularly affect flight instruments and engines, and strong katabatic winds - wind that flows downhill and are caused by gravity pulling higher density air downslope to lower density air - can make landings unsafe with little notice.
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