Midflight, a pilot made a U-turn to allow passengers to see the breathtaking northern lights.
What are the Northern Lights?
A natural light show in the Earth’s sky called an aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), often known as the polar lights, is most frequently observed in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic).
The sky is covered in dynamic patterns of spectacular lights known as auroras that might take the form of curtains, beams, spirals, or dynamic flickers.
The solar wind’s effects on the magnetosphere lead to auroral phenomena. Coronal holes and coronal mass ejections accelerate the solar wind, which causes significant disturbances.
The paths of charged particles in the magnetospheric plasma are changed by these disruptions. These particles precipitate into the high atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere), primarily electrons and protons.
As a result, air elements are ionized and excited, releasing light with a range of colors and complexity. The amount of acceleration applied to the precipitating particles affects how the aurora, which occurs in bands around both polar regions, takes shape.
Auroras can be seen on the majority of the planets in the Solar System, a few natural satellites, brown dwarfs, and even comets.
That’s a good pilot
While there hasn’t been a lack of flight cancellations and planes turning back because they couldn’t get there in recent months, there is now some good news for passengers.
When an easyJet pilot selected a peculiar path, passengers on aircraft U21806 from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Manchester Airport were astounded.
Passengers experienced the mesmerizing sights of the polar lights during the short detour, which lasted less than ten minutes.
And although their flight may have been a little late, many on board said it was well worth the delay.
According to BBC news, Adam Groves, of Lymm, Cheshire, claimed the breathtaking sight “finished off” his vacation, during which he also got engaged.
Mr. Groves claimed that he and his fiancée Jasmine Mapp were on the right side of the plane and that if it weren’t for the incredibly “kind” pilot, they would not have been able to witness the amazing aurora.
Mr. Groves stated that despite their best efforts, the two were unable to glimpse the northern lights while in Iceland.
He stated: “While we were out there, we hoped to see them, but we were unable to.
“As soon as we lifted off, the pilot dimmed all of the lights so that we could see out the left window.
“Seeing the northern lights in the sky was the perfect finish to a really wonderful vacation,” she added. “After days of hopping in the car at any chance to try and find them without spotting them.”
EasyJet released the following statement: “We are happy that the captain on our flight from Reykjavik to Manchester yesterday evening was able to perform a controlled maneuver in order to allow passengers to witness an amazing display of one of nature’s most magnificent sights, the aurora borealis, from the air.
Our staff will always go above and above for our clients, and we are thrilled to have been able to share this unique view of the northern lights with them.