Global Warming: Collapse of Antarctic glacier the size of Britain threatens to flood coastal towns

An Antarctic glacier the size of Britain is threatening to submerge UK coastal towns by collapsing into the ocean and raising sea levels, scientists fear.

British and American experts are launching the largest joint mission for more than 70 years to investigate how long the 113,000 square-mile Thwaites Glacier can last in its current form.

A fleet of research ships, submarines and aircraft and more than 80 scientists will be dispatched to the remote west Antarctic region later this year following warnings the ice structure could collapse within decades.

Read more: Collapse of Antarctic glacier the size of Britain threatens to flood coastal towns

Flying over Antartica in a New Years Eve Special Airbus Jumbo 380 Flight

The cheapest seat is $999, the dearest more than $6000. It's the first time an A380 has done such a trip. The travel company involved has run these Antarctic flights since 1994, until now on Boeing 747s. In a way it's a voyage to nowhere, take-off and landing in the same place. It feels somehow as if it shouldn't be happening. The plane has orange, yellow and purple streamers inside. At midnight we find ourselves with champagne and party whistles. In a plane.

''It's a party flight and also an expedition,'' says the travel company's head, Phil Asker. ''Passengers are welcome to dance to the jazz band if that is what they want.''

One couple gets engaged as the flight rolls on, dipping and leaning for better views, premium windows in high demand. One man has a suspected heart attack but it turns out to be respiratory and he lies hooked to a drip up the front all the way home. There are 18 birthday parties going on. Two 50th wedding anniversaries. And also a 49th, for 70-somethings Alan and Elaine Horsfield of NSW, perpetual travellers who want to see everything in the world.

Next year they'll party again. Mrs Horsfield says she wants to do a flight like this again but go first-class for all the comforts. Her husband, a writer, wants to go one better. He wants to buy a flight into space.

For the complete report: antarctica|new years eve

Stuff.co.nz: Airbus landing Antarctic milestone

Airbus lands on Antarctic

For the complete report from Stuff.co.nz click on this link

Airbus landing Antarctic milestone

Australia has scored an Antarctic coup by successfully landing a commercial airliner at its polar base.

A statement from the Australian Antarctic Division said the Airbus A319 landed on the purpose-built Wilkins Runway, around 70 kilometres from Casey station, late on Sunday night and returned to Hobart early on Monday."It is a most ambitious undertaking which, for the first time, connects Australia and Antarctica with a permanent air link. It really is a tremendous achievement and marks a significant milestone for Australia's Antarctic Program. "Operational crews reported that the AIRBUS aircraft handled the conditions well and had nothing but praise for Wilkins Runway. It has been a wonderful reward, too, for the ground support personnel who have worked so hard in sometimes appalling conditions." The first flight to Wilkins carried only operations personnel and was one of a series of successful 'proving' flights before final approval from authorities to allow passengers on board.