Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Witness the Northern Lights at Eye-Level from a Private Charter Plane

Mike Richard
By

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.”

Recommended Videos

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.

Air North's Aurora 360 Flight to the Lights, Nov 25, 2017

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
The best bars in New York City: Our top picks
Here's where to belly up to the bar in NYC
The Quixote Bar.

If you're known as The City That Never Sleeps, you probably have a few good bars to your name. New York is the ultimate beehive, going strong regardless of the borough or time of day. That makes for a pretty rich NYC bar culture.

Sure, there are trending establishments that draw huge lines—look at you, Double Chicken Please. But there are also excellent dives, tremendous wine bars, and watering holes that make you reexamine the definition of a great cocktail.

Read more
Yellowstone vs Yosemite: Which national park should you visit?
A breathtaking view of Yellowstone National Park at sunset.

When speaking of national parks, two often dominate the conversation: Yellowstone and Yosemite. While both are crown jewels of the National Park System, each offers a distinctly unique experience. These parks attract millions of visitors annually, but which one reigns supreme for the summer traveler? Let's compare these iconic destinations.
Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872 as the first national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park sprawls across three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Covering over 2.2 million acres, it’s a vast land of natural wonders. Here's what it's famous for:
Geothermal geysers
Yellowstone is home to over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including more than 500 geysers. The star of the show is Old Faithful, a geyser famous for its predictable eruptions. Besides geysers, the park boasts multicolored hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots.
An abundance of wildlife
Yellowstone’s ecosystem is a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife. Visitors marvel at herds of bison roaming the valleys, spot elusive wolves in the Lamar Valley, and observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Just make sure that you're following the rules when it comes to interacting with animals. The park is a living showcase of wildlife management and natural balance.
Unparalleled views
The park's landscape varies from rolling grasslands to dense forests and high-altitude lakes. Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-altitude lake in North America, offering stunning views and fishing opportunities. Hiking trails range from easy walks to challenging backcountry adventures, catering to all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.
Yosemite National Park

Read more
8 helpful tips for taking a red-eye flight
Say goodbye to jet lag
Night Flight

Red-eye flights, named for their tendency to depart late at night and arrive early in the morning, offer a wide range of benefits for travelers looking to save money and optimize their time. From the luxury of saving daylight hours to the chance for lower rates, red-eyes are an appealing option for many. These flights often feature less congestion at airports and shorter security lines, leading to a more relaxed overall travel experience.

Despite their advantages, red-eye flights can also cause issues such as disrupted sleep patterns, cramped quarters, and fatigue upon arrival. However, with the right strategies and a little bit of preparation, you can turn your red-eye experience into a smooth and stress-free adventure. These are just a few red-eye flight tips to consider.
1. Match your flight to your sleep habits

Read more