Northern Lights Flights

Northern Lights Flights

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Northern Lights Flights

Visiting: United Kingdom

Tour operator:

Omega Breaks

Tour code:

8370

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Tour Overview

Discover the Northern Lights in the most unique way – by air!  In this unique experience, passengers will learn all about the Aurora Borealis and get a presentation from a professional astronomer on board in an approx. 3-hour flight.

The Aurora Borealis, or as it's more commonly known, the Northern Lights, is a natural light show resulting from an interaction between the magnetic fields of the Earth and the Sun. The Aurora’s appearance can vary from a weak glow to a breath-taking, sky-filling spectacle, 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.

We are delighted that once again our main guest astronomer for these excursions will be Pete Lawrence. Pete appeared regularly in the first series of the BBC’s long-running Sky at Night programme as their observing expert, and is now being seen on our screens as one of the main presenters.

Joining Pete on Omega’s expert astronomy team will be Nigel Bradbury, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and an active amateur astronomer for over 40 years, as well as Dr Lee Sproats, who has also appeared on the BBC Sky at Night programme and was on the live Giotto spacecraft Halley encounter broadcast from the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

Itinerary

Air Itinerary

Every flight is preceded by two illustrated briefings given by our expert astronomers which are held either at the airport itself or in a nearby hotel, and in total these last for around one hour. One talk describes how the flight will operate and the main sights that will be visible out of the plane window. The other talk illustrates how and why the aurora happens and this concludes with a forecast of our chance of seeing a display on our flight - though we should emphasise that what actually proves to be visible might be completely different from the forecast! After the briefing, we proceed to the airport departure lounge for the flight.

About 25 minutes before we reach our holding point the cabin is made as dark as possible, allowing time for our eyes to adapt to the darkness for optimal viewing of the night sky. During the period of darkness, the cabin toilets will be temporarily taken out of service for safety reasons and to prevent the internal light inside each toilet from disturbing passengers’ night vision. Light refreshments are served en-route back to the airport.

In order to give all passengers an equal chance of viewing the aurora from a window seat, everyone is required to rotate seats with the other passengers in their row of three (or two, as is typical from Edinburgh or Glasgow) seats. Please be aware that this needs to be done in virtual total darkness. Instruction will be given when it is time to swap seats, and this is normally repeated several times to ensure that everyone gets a chance to see what’s being described outside.

If any passenger would like the sole use of a row of two or three seats, or if a party of two would like the sole use of a row of three seats, this can be requested for an additional charge.



What's Included

  • Pre-flight presentation by expert astronomer Pete Lawrence
  • Flight excursion (approximately 3-3 ½ hours, depending on the departure airport location)
  • Services of astronomers on board
  • Light refreshments on board
  • All airport taxes*
  • Services of an Omega Holidays tour manager

Accommodation

No accommodation
As this is a day trip there is no accommodation provided for this break.

Reviews of this operator

karen james (Google Reviewer)  

Went on northern lights tour....

19-Mar-2023

Went on northern lights tour. Amazing and the commentary fro. Pete Lawrence was so knowledgeable. Will book again

donna holder (Google Reviewer)  

Couldn't fault our weekend break...

18-Jul-2022

Couldn't fault our weekend break to see a show in London.Reg our coach driver went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy,Lovely man.

Lesley Almond (Google Reviewer)  

Went to London to see...

08-Dec-2019

Went to London to see white christmas on the 7th December 2019 then shopping Sunday, the weekend was brilliant, hotel was lovely and the food and room were great, our coach driver was a lovely man and very helpful would recommend omega travel, would definately travel with them again.

M UK567 (Google Reviewer)  

The Northern Lights tour was...

11-Feb-2024

The Northern Lights tour was very disappointing. Whilst I appreciate seeing the lights isn't guaranteed, the overall experience was poor. Hotel presentation was amateur, too long and could have been done beforehand rather than awkwardly near to the airport. The flight was 45minutes delayed because of catering. Food was not needed on a 3.5hour flight (sandwiches were served at 11pm...) and this delay - coupled with the delay on landing for the doors not being able to be opened - caused us to miss the last train out of Gatwick and so we had to spend £80 on a taxi home. The designation for seats was also poor, with some people allowed to book two window seats, meaning both members of a party got the extra view on the way up and down, whereas those in middle or aisle seats had only limited time during the 'rotations.' All in all, this was felt like an amateurish run tour with an unsuccessful trip. The only saving grace was the astronomer host, who was excellent.

margaret gaiger (Google Reviewer)  

Booked London theatre trip...

01-Oct-2022

Booked London theatre trip for 8 of us not impressed with driver Travis no communication no recollection of numbers of people travelling told us pick up points then was opposite side of road no check on people getting back on coach left without two had stop coach too much time on coach compared to some very disappointed on the upside hotel nice

Brian Curson (Google Reviewer)  

Don't use this laughable company...

23-Jun-2024

Don't use this laughable company where the drivers don't inform the passengers where to get off in London, therefore the west end shows that we're booked were missed. Who sends coaches out when the microphone is broken. This company does. I reiterate DONT use Omega as they are very poor.

Sarah Grimwood (Google Reviewer)  

We did not get to...

03-Oct-2022

We did not get to see the show as the stand in driver took the wrong route back into London after picking us up from the hotel there was a coach of 46 very disappointed people

karen sands (Google Reviewer)  

Sorry to write a bad...

19-Jun-2020

Sorry to write a bad review for a small business, but due to COVID, my trip was cancelled. I've tried to get a refund, as I'm entitled to by law. Firstly I was told for weeks that no refunds would be given, then I was told that I could have a refund but they didn't have the cash right now (join the club) and 3 months later I still don't have my refund. I wouldn't book again because my trust has completely gone. I shouldn't have to wait until they have the money for the refund, the money shouldn't be spent until the trip has taken place. These are challenging times and the way businesses handle their affairs is going to be make or break for the future. I support smaller businesses wherever I can, but this has put me off.

Gee Taa (Google Reviewer)  

Rubbish, omega staff took well...

10-Feb-2022

Rubbish, omega staff took well over £1,800 for 4 travel tickets and we didn't get anything for our money. Police are dealing with it now.

Helen Darnell (Google Reviewer)  

Northern Lights trip from Gatwick...

17-Jan-2022

Northern Lights trip from Gatwick on 5th November 2021. Booked three seats for comfort and social distancing and paid extra to do so. This was not offered and another person enjoyed our third seat for the duration of the trip. Getting a refund is nigh on impossible and I have been in correspondence with Omega since 9th November 2021 with various excuses including it takes 6/8 weeks for refunds to be authorised. I have now received a reply (17th January 2022) stating that the flight was overbooked ? and I would get my refund in (wait for it) 6/8 weeks ! I have contacted Trading Standards and they tell me refunds should be offered within 28 days/or 14 days if you paid by card they have noted my complaint. This company is a joke so stay well away my personal opinion is that they are using customers funds to keep trading and have a cash flow problem.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Omega Breaks requires a minimum deposit of 100% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 730 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of omega breaks charges.

    At 730 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Winter Promise: Book any holiday departing from 5th November 2021 until 31st March 2022 either online or via our call centre. A free transfer is available with evidence of a positive Covid test result (Proof of a positive PCR or lateral flow test result f

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