Unless you loathe nature and scenic grandeur, seeing the Northern Lights probably ranks near the top of your bucket list. From Finland to Iceland to (if you’re lucky) the North Pole, there’s no shortage of incredible destinations from which to spot them. However, one company is taking to the sky to provide travelers with a one-of-a-kind, “eye-level” view of one of our planet’s most magnificent natural phenomena.
In 2019, Canadian travel provider Consulta Meta is launching their official Aurora | 360 Experience, a 737 charter flight that’s unlike any other Northern Lights tour in the world. It’s billed as “the only flight in the world to take off within the Aurora Oval.”
This special region is among the best places on Earth to see the Aurora. Depending on weather and atmospheric conditions, the flight will take off from Canada’s Yukon Territory either February 8 or 9, 2019 — whichever day promises the best viewing opportunity. The plane will climb high above the clouds to around 36,000 feet where, with a little luck, passengers should find stunning views of the Northern Lights at eye-level.
Consulta Meta ran a test flight of the Aurora | 360 Experience in 2017. Nine minutes into the trip, passengers began seeing the lights which continued for three hours with one of the best displays in years. While a view of the lights is never guaranteed, it’s difficult to imagine a better opportunity to capture them.
Interested travelers can choose between two options. The price for just a seat aboard the flight is CAD $1,045 (approximately USD $800) including taxes. For CAD $2,939 (USD $2,225), travelers can upgrade to the full Aurora | 360 Experience which adds a four-night stay in Whitehorse, three Yukon-inspired dinners, admission to Takhini Hot Springs, authentic local cultural activities, and a professionally guided tour through the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. A variety of guest speakers will join the group including Planetary Science Ph.D’s, White House space technology officials, a professional Canadian Aurora photographer, and the Astronomy Ambassador of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. This is an exclusive small tour with only 80 total seats available, so it’s sure to sell out.
Whichever option you choose, remember to brush up on your Northern Lights photography skills before you go — and promise to take us with you.
