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If you want to chase the Northern Lights, you don’t have to just wait on the ground. Choose an international flight that flies over the Arctic Circle. If you know the night time period, moon phase and seat position from September to April, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the aurora on the plane.
If you want to enjoy the Northern Lights, you don’t have to wait in the snow and snowfall. You can also go by airplane to see this natural wonder from a height of 10,000 feet. Travel magazine Travel + Leisure pointed out that as long as you choose the right flight route, season, time and seat, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the aurora outside the cabin window, especially international flights flying above the Arctic Circle, which are worth considering.
The report states that the Northern Lights are typically visible in areas between 60 and 75 degrees north latitude.norway Sweden, Finland, Northern Russia, Northern Canada,iceland Andgreenland And there are opportunities to see it in northern Alaska and Scotland as well. If you want to chase the aurora by plane, it is best to choose a long-distance flight above the Arctic Circle, such as from Los Angeles in the United States to Helsinki in Finland, or from Toronto in Canada to Oslo in Norway. These routes will pass through high latitudes suitable for aurora viewing.
The auroras should be seen when the sky is dark, so autumn, winter and spring are ideal times, usually from September to April of the following year. The Arctic region experiences long periods of sunshine in the summer, and some areas do not even experience sunset completely, reducing viewing opportunities.
Apart from the season, the time of flight is also important. The report recommends choosing a late-night flight, preferably 1 to 2 hours before or after midnight, when the sky is typically darkest and cabin lighting is mostly dim, which can reduce the effect of window reflections on viewing.
The phase of the moon is also a factor that affects viewing conditions. The moonlight is more intense during the full moon, which may reduce the visibility of the aurora, so it is usually more appropriate to arrange a light-chasing trip during the new moon or empress moon.
There is also a trick for seat selection. Since the aurora is primarily visible in the northern sky, travelers should choose a north-facing window seat. If the plane is flying east, it is advisable to sit on the left side; If the plane is flying west, sit on the right side. Additionally, it is best to avoid seats near the wings and choose seats in front of or behind the wings to avoid blocking the view out the window by the wings.
