Lindblad Expeditions is adding significantly more departures to it Antarctica fly-cruise program, said Natalya Leahy, CEO, speaking on the company’s fourth quarter and year-end earnings call.

“During the year, we continued to enhance and expand our expedition offerings with our Antarctica direct fly cruise program. The program successfully launched in the end of 2024, attracting new guests to the brand by reducing travel time and eliminating the Drake Passage crossing,” she said.

“Given the strong demand, we’re expanding from four voyages in 2024 to 19 in 2025 and to 24 voyages in 2026,” Leahy continued.

“The 2025 program is nearly sold out and 2026, more than half booked.”

Instead of sailing roundtrip from Ushuaia, which includes two days of Drake Passage sailing on both ends of the expedition, Lindblad is flying guests to King George Island. This significantly reduces travel time and bypasses the sometimes challenging sea conditions of the Drake Passage.