Southern Lights by Flight
Tour Description
Witness the world's most remarkable natural light show. The Southern lights...also known as the Aurora Australis!
Many people spend a small fortune to fly to Norway, Canada or the Arctic Circle to see the Northern lights, but did you realize that you can see the same phenomena on a flight departing from Christchurch New Zealand
Join Viva Expeditions & Aurora hunter and astrophysicist Dr Ian Griffin & a team of expert astronomers and fly into the night, to witness one of the world’s most magical natural phenomena. Take off onboard an Air New Zealand Dreamliner, you will head south over the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica, aiming for latitudes of 62 degrees south where the Aurora Australis is brightest. We will take you far away from light pollution, high above the clouds and weather systems to see a magical and unforgettable display with uninterrupted view of the southern lights. Along the way you will see constellations, stars, and planets as you have never witnessed them before.
Throughout the flights you will receive a full in flight catering service in both business and economy classes. Expert astronomers will provide information on route about how an aurora is created, as well as pointing out their favourite night sky objects. They will instruct you on how to photograph an aurora and we will have a photographer onboard to assist on how best to use your cameras.
Also learn about our Mission to Aurora Australis Pre Flight Programme which is included when you book onto our Southern Lights by Flight, to find our more click here.
Join us on this Flight to the Lights! Book with confidence
Interactive Brochure
Aurora Australis Viva NZ Brochure 2021
*Please note: images used were taken on previous flights, and will appear brighter/with more colour than viewing with the naked eye, as modern digital cameras and phones have greater sensitivity and can capture more colours and greater contrast.
Video Highlights
Viva's Best Bits...
A rare opportunity to fly south towards Antarctica around 62 degrees south, accompanied by a team of expert astronomers and photographer …witness the Southern Lights from the air! Great for those that would like to try to photograph the aurora.
“I’m really excited about this charter flight. Flying into the southern auroral zone is a wonderful experience, you never know quite what you are going to see." Dr Ian Griffin, astronomer. (Dr Giiffin and/or other astronomers join us onboard)
The timing of this aurora flight is no coincidence! It coincides perfectly with the Autumn equinox which helps to maximise the chance the aurora will be bright. Thanks to a phenomenon called the Russell-McPherron effect.