People across parts of the UK have been treated to sightings of the natural phenomenon this year – but now you can see it up close with this special travel experience
Seeing the Northern Lights is a dream for many. Despite some parts of the UK getting an extraordinary view of this natural spectacle this year, many have missed out due to light pollution or simply sleeping through the night, only to wake up to social media chatter and photos of the unusual phenomena illuminating local skies.
The mesmerising light show is created when electrically-charged particles from the sun enter Earth’s atmosphere. It can sometimes be seen from the UK, depending on light pollution and cloud cover.
While the best views of the Aurora Borealis usually involve a trip to the Nordic countries – with all the associated cold weather gear, hotels and other costs – nature lovers don’t need to shell out thousands travelling abroad to witness the magic.
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A unique opportunity is being offered to passengers to get a close-up view of the Northern Lights, with special night flights departing from airports across the UK throughout this winter and early 2025.
Special three to three-and-a-half-hour round trips are planned from regional airports including Manchester, Gatwick and Birmingham in November 2024 and March 2025. Prices are £249 per person based on two travelling via Virgin Experiences, but single travellers can also book through Omega Breaks at the same price, reports Wales Online.
Astronomy fans, fasten your seatbelts for a sky-high spectacle with Pete Lawrence, a BBC regular on Sky at Night, as he guides passengers through the cosmic scenery with expert commentary to help distinguish the Milky Way from Orion’s Belt.
The organisers behind this stargazing adventure reveal: “Our flight excursions are perhaps the easiest and most affordable way to see this natural phenomenon. The Aurora’s appearance can vary from a weak glow to a breathtaking, sky-filling display, and even though the best views may be had from ground level, visibility can be hampered by surrounding light pollution, bad weather or an inconveniently cloudy night. Our flight excursions endeavour to eliminate these factors, aiming to improve chances of viewing this spectacle.”
For an unmatched aerial encounter with the Northern Lights, the cabin lights are dimmed post-takeoff enabling eyes to adjust. To ensure a fair glimpse for all, passengers rotate seats while the experts highlight passing meteors and star formations. Post-glimpse, flights return to normalcy with refreshments as they coast back to solid ground.
For 25 years, the Northern Lights flights have been a hit with stargazers eager to catch a glimpse of the spectacular auroras. Omega Breaks, the travel company behind these adventures, boasts a ‘Great’ rating on Trustpilot, securing an impressive 4 out of 5 stars from 381 reviews for their various trips, including the sought-after Northern Lights excursions.
One thrilled customer couldn’t contain their excitement, sharing: “A fantastic flight, all well organised even down to the black tape to blackout lights in the plane. We saw great show of the northern lights, cosmic dust and all the star constellations. Great.”
However, as with any natural spectacle, sightings can never be guaranteed, leading to some less-than-stellar feedback from those who missed out on the aurora’s dance. A disappointed reviewer remarked: “Disappointing, as we did not get to see the lights, just a grey outline, nature is full of surprises!”
Another added their voice, albeit with a note of understanding: “All went well with the flight, the expert did his excellent best, but sadly the Aurora wasn’t performing well. No spectacular displays just an arch shaped whitish glow above the horizon.”
Nonetheless, even those who didn’t witness the Northern Lights still found value in the experience, commending the onboard astronomer and the celestial sights they did see. Another reviewer noted: “We had an interesting talk about what we might expect to see and then a comfortable flight. We saw the constellations and the milky way, all explained to us by an expert. Unfortunately, no Aurora Borealis on this trip but the stars were great compensation.”
Customers who reserve the experience through Virgin will receive a gift-wrapped presentation box, making it an ideal present for Christmas or birthdays.
Another alternative is booking a city break to Reykjavik in Iceland with an optional Northern Lights tour through Wowcher, with deals starting from as little as £149 per person.
For those adventurers willing to splurge more on the experience, they can embark on Northern Lights trips via TUI this winter. The holiday company is currently offering discounts on two and three-night breaks to Norway, Iceland and other destinations, with prices starting from £450 per person for a three-night trip based on two people sharing.
