How to see the aurora borealis from a plane: tips for spotting the northern lights at 30,000 feet

There are few experiences as surreal as watching the aurora borealis dance from a plane window. At 30,000 feet, you’re above the weather, far from the haze of city lights and gifted with a clear, uninterrupted view of nature’s most captivating light show. To see the northern lights from the sky, illuminating the night in shifting greens, reds and purples as you cruise across the Arctic or over the Atlantic, is an unforgettable way to encounter this natural wonder. Whenever I am flying and it coincides with night time, I always work out which side of the plane will be north facing and book a window seat that side. I will take you on a deep dive of how to see the aurora borealis and capture photography from a plane.

Why seeing the aurora from a plane is special

Spotting the aurora mid-flight feels like a rare gift, it feels like time bends and I am left speechless when I think about the fact that you’re literally seeing our normally invisible atmosphere become visible as the aurora stretches up for miles and miles. Unlike ground-based aurora chasing, where clouds and light pollution often get in the way, the view from above the clouds is crystal clear.

• Above the weather – No worries about cloud cover or fog ruining the view.
• A bird’s-eye perspective – The aurora sweeps across the horizon, vast and unbroken.
• Serendipity – There’s something thrilling about boarding an ordinary flight and finding yourself immersed in extraordinary light.

I’ve been lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis and capture photography from a plane several times. Each moment felt like time suspended, I am usually listening to something like Sigur Rós, which just adds to the beauty of the moment, silencing the hum of the engines, as outside the window, ribbons of light unfurling across the sky.

When and where to book your flight

best time of year

The aurora is most visible between September and March, when nights are long and skies are dark. Equinox months (September and March) often bring heightened activity due to geomagnetic conditions.

Flight routes for aurora sightings

• Transatlantic flights – Routes between northern Europe and North America often cross aurora-active zones.
• Flights to Iceland, Norway, or Alaska – Journeys into the Arctic circle are prime opportunities for aurora spotting.
• Airlines with Arctic routes – Some carriers even get excited and dim the cabin lights when there are good aurora-viewing opportunities on winter flights.

Choosing the best seat for aurora spotting

If you’re going to be on a night flight and want to try aurora borealis hunting and photography from a plane, your seat choice matters.

• Always book a window seat – essential for uninterrupted views.
• Pick the north-facing side – for example flying from the UK to Iceland, book the right hand side on the way out and the left hand side on the way back – but for somewhere like UK to Tromsø or Rovaniemi, you’d want the left hand side on the way out and right hand side on the way back.
• Reduce glare – Dim your cabin lights and use a jacket or blanket to block reflections from the window.

A little planning makes a big difference in what you’ll see.

Preparing for the flight

Track the aurora forecast

Check aurora apps and websites for activity on your flight day. Monitoring this helps you anticipate when the lights might appear.

Pack for success

• A good camera or smartphone for capturing aurora borealis photography.
• A blanket or jacket over your head can help to block out cabin lights.
• Patience, because aurora sightings often happen unexpectedly.

Tips for photographing the aurora from a plane

Capturing the northern lights mid-flight is challenging but possible. One of the things I love most about my Fujifilm X-T5 is how small it is, coupled with the dynamic range and capabilities to push the ISO, meaning shots like this are totally possible! Here’s a lowdown of settings I tweak and how I shoot aurora borealis photography from the plane:

• Camera settings – Use manual mode with a wide aperture (f/1.4-2.8 or lower if possible), a high ISO (3200–6400), and short exposures (1–1.5 seconds) to avoid motion blur.
• Stabilise – Rest your camera or phone against the window to reduce vibration.
• Smartphone tips – Use apps that enable long exposure if your phone doesn’t have a built in night mode. Shield your phone from cabin reflections by pulling down the window blind and covering it with a scarf, or jacket.

Even if the photos aren’t perfect, they’ll be a treasured reminder of a once-in-a-lifetime view.

What to do if you don’t see the aurora

The aurora is never guaranteed. If you don’t catch it on your flight, savour the night sky itself. From a plane, stars often look somehow sharper and brighter than on the ground. And remember, there’s always another chance to capture aurora borealis photography if this one doesn’t line up!

About me

Hi, I’m Rebecca, an aurora chaser and astro photography expert with a deep love for the night sky. If I’m flying, I’ll always try to book a nighttime route and you’ll find me forward of the wing with a north-facing view. Since my first aurora experience in Iceland in 2014, I’ve captured the northern lights in 36 locations during 2024, from Arctic Norway to the cliffs of Ramsgate, sharing the magick of nature through my lens.

Ready to become an aurora expert?

Seeing the aurora from a plane is unforgettable, but there are so many other ways to experience the northern lights. My Chasing the Aurora Borealis course offers a step-by-step guide with 34 lessons to help you plan, chase, and capture aurora borealis photography, whether you’re flying high or grounded in nature.

Enroll today to access the course instantly and make your aurora dreams a reality.