Sales of Omega Breaks’ flights to see the Northern Lights are well over double pre-Covid levels for October and November.
The tour operator, part of The JG Travel Group, offers three hour flights out of a range of UK airports to search for the Aurora Borealis. The one day experience includes a pre-departure talk by a guest astronomer.
The autumn departures are currently 176% up compared to sales for the same months of October and November in 2019. Some dates are now close to being sold out.
They allow clients to go on a trip and have an experience without taking an overseas holiday.
Claire Dutton, trade sales manager at Omega Breaks, said: “These breaks are great for customers who dream of seeing the Northern Lights, but perhaps don’t have the budget for or desire to take an overseas trip right now. Flying high above the clouds, away from any light pollution, helps ensure maximum opportunities to view the stars, constellations and hopefully the Aurora Borealis.”
She said the company was working hard to promote the brand in the trade and urged agents to promote the experience, adding that clients “may not know it is possible to spend an evening doing something like this.”
The Northern Lights Flight Experience is offered on selected dates in October and November 2021 and February and March 2022, from 12 regional airports including Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, East Midlands, Gatwick, and Stansted.
Each trip is accompanied by Pete Lawrence, a guest astronomer who has appeared regularly on the BBC’s The Sky at Night programme. He gives a pre-flight talk on the Northern Lights and what to expect and the evening’s forecast. There is also commentary during the flight, which is at 37,000 feet. Prices start from £229.
The operator is planning to offer one agent the chance to win a Northern Lights flight for two this winter in a competition which will feature on its agent Facebook page for Just Go, National Holidays and Omega this week.