Travellers desperate to see the Northern Lights can get up close and personal with the phenomenon on a new private flight in Canada.
Bright aurora borealis, Annie Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada. Image by Philip Hart/Stocktrek Images/Getty Images
Taking off from the Yukon Territory in the north, Consulta Meta has announced a new way to see the lights – on board a private-chartered 737 jet that’s the only flight in the world to take-off within the “Aurora Oval”, or region where the lights are strongly visible. That means, people on board the flight should be able to see the lights shortly after take-off and at eye level.
The trip will run from 7 to 11 February, 2019, with the flight taking off on either the 8 or 9 February. The date will be chosen based on the Aurora forecast for the days, so passengers will have the best chance of getting optimal views. The five-day trip will include “unique culinary components, industry leading guest speakers, cultural events, optional day tours and more”. Guest speakers will include speakers like Dr. Phil Plait (aka the Bad Astronomer), Dr. Christa Van Laerhoven (B.Sc. Physics & Astronomy/ Ph.D. Planetary Sciences), William Murtagh (White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as the assistant director for Space Weather, Energy, and Environment Division), and Pierre Paquette (Astronomy Ambassador of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada).
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Since there’s only 80 seats on the flight, it’s going to be a rare opportunity for travellers to take part. A pilot project of the flight was held last year, and the passengers saw the lights just nine minutes after take-off – and they continued for three hours straight. Not only that, once you hop on board, you will get to enjoy a celebratory gin from the Yukon Brewing company and the Canadian Aurora photographer Neil Zeller will assist with helping passengers take their own photos.
Spectacular display of intense Northern Lights or Aurora borealis or polar lights forming green swirls over snowy winter landscape. Image by ©Pi-Lens/Shutterstock
There are two options for anyone looking to take part: the Aurora|360 flight costs $1045 CAD (US$796); to take part in the whole experience, it will cost $2939 CAD (US$2239) for four nights’ accommodation in Whitehorse, three “distinctive Yukon-flare dinners”, cultural activities, entry to Takhini Hot Springs, a guided tour of Yukon Wildlife preserve and more.
Find out more here.
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