It’s a trip of about 10 hours overnight worth every minute, says the chief astronaut aboard the first flight to explore the Southern Lights which began last night .
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Passengers awoke with nearly 10 hours worth of ‘amazing’ views of the Southern Lights Source: Ian Griffin
Flights from New Zealand have been in operation several times a year since 2017, although they were with hiatus over 2020 when Covid-19 damaged tourism.
But interest in travel did not fall to see the Southern Lights surprise, with flights being sold in October last year.
Ian Griffin is the astronaut on board and says last night’s flight out of Christchurch was “amazing”.
“The pilots had a camera in the candle and the Aurora was active all night. We went through it for about seven hours,” he told 1 NEWS.
With four pilots on board, Griffin says it also helps navigate the best places to see the lights.
“Of course, the crew is flying … we have the cameras and they are looking for the aurora and I communicate with the crew and they turn the plane into the Aurora. , “he said.
The flight leaves Christchurch at 7pm and returns at 5am after traveling around 8000km through the Auroral Egg.
Viva Expeditions has been booking Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Dreamliners for the flights since 2017.
Founder and managing director Rachel Williams says after the successful tour of New Zealand, she is inspired to see the airline.
Prices range from around $ 1295 to business class sets at $ 7495.
“” I think at first it’s a good chance to get that feeling of travel again but it’s great that we can make this flight – this is one of the easiest ways have seen the Aurora, “she said.
Williams says a team of 12 astronauts, educators and photographers are on board the flights to “advance people’s cameras and tell them what they see”.
“The plane is coming from Christchurch and traveling southeast across the South Sea and once in the band Aurora, we use the skills of that astronaut to fly inland. bands as long as possible, “Williams explained.
She said of the 270 passengers on board last night’s flight, one of them had a birthday (which was celebrated several times during the flight crossing the timeline three times) and there was also “an engagement”.
With another flight ready to take to the skies tonight, Griffin has had “about four hours of sleep” but is looking forward to another amazing sight.
“None of the astronauts are paid,” he said.
“We’re just doing it because we like to see the lights on and it’s great to support the tourism industry at a time like this.”