Aurora 360 Flight returns for Solar Max 2026
After a six-year hiatus, the Aurora 360 Flight will lift off above Yukon on February 14-16, 2026, just as Solar Cycle 25 hits its peak. The private Air North Boeing 737 will climb to 30,000 feet, turning wingtip windows into balcony seats on one of the strongest northern lights seasons in more than a decade. A six-day land-and-sky package from Northern Lights Resort & Spa frames the flight with chalet comforts, guided winter adventures, and nightly fire-pit sky-watching. Availability is limited to roughly 70 passengers, so early booking is essential.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Solar Max ups aurora intensity, offering rare airborne viewing.
- Travel impact: Only 70 window seats are sold; packages will move fast.
- What's next: Resort releases wait-list spots if weather shifts flight dates.
- Package price starts at £5,780 (GBP) about $7,460.
- Includes round-trip Vancouver-Whitehorse flights and Arctic clothing.
Snapshot
The February 12-17 itinerary pairs three chalet nights at family-run Northern Lights Resort & Spa with two nights in downtown Whitehorse. Guests board a dedicated Air North charter that loops north of the Arctic Circle for two to three hours, scheduling its departure around the night's predicted auroral oval. Ground days fill with a nature walk, snowmobile introduction, and a soak at Eclipse Hot Springs, while evenings feature bonfire sky-watching and gourmet Yukon-sourced dinners. Thermal outerwear, lodge-to-airport transfers, and all meals are bundled. Full details sit on Air North's booking page for the Aurora 360 Flight Special at the time of writing.
Background
Aurora 360 first flew in 2017 as the world's only commercial northern lights flight dedicated to Yukon skies. The program paused after its 2020 season because of pandemic disruptions and aircraft scheduling constraints. Its 2026 revival aligns with forecasts from NASA and NOAA showing Solar Cycle 25 entering a strong maximum phase that could persist through early 2027. Heightened solar flares increase charged-particle collisions in Earth's magnetosphere, intensifying auroral curtains and widening their visible footprint. Yukon's low humidity, sparse light pollution, and reliable winter high-pressure systems make it a favored latitude for aurora chasers, both on the ground and aloft.
Latest Developments
Package highlights at a glance
Northern Lights Resort & Spa has released two date patterns: February 12-17 or February 14-19. Both guarantee a window seat on one night of flight operations, with backup dates held for weather delays. Chalet categories range from timber-framed Alpine units to glass-roofed Aurora Chalets engineered for sky-viewing from bed. The package now partners with Hyatt Place Whitehorse for in-town nights, replacing the former Best Western. Travelers can add massages, dog-sled rides, or milestone celebrations for an extra fee. Booking requires a 20 percent non-refundable deposit, with balance due 90 days out. Full terms appear on the resort's site and the Travel Yukon northern lights guide (https://www.travelyukon.com/en/plan/northern-lights?utm_source=adept.travel).
Analysis
Yukon has long marketed itself as an aurora capital, yet competitors in Yellowknife, Iceland, and Finnish Lapland have dominated search trends since 2020. The Aurora 360 relaunch gives Yukon a marquee product that leverages two unique advantages. First, cruise-height viewing eliminates low-level cloud risk, raising success rates to near 100 percent when geomagnetic activity cooperates. Second, Solar Max aligns perfectly with the flight window, stacking the odds toward vibrant reds and deep-field purples seldom seen at mid-latitudes. From an economic standpoint, the £5,780 price point (about $7,460) targets affluent adventure seekers who typically book Icelandic glass-igloo stays. Bundling all clothing, meals, and transfers reduces friction for time-pressed travelers flying through Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The lodge's age-16 policy and maximum two-guest chalets tilt the product toward couples, not families, which could narrow the market but also maintains the premium feel. If 2026 demand mirrors the sold-out 2019 season, expect earlier on-sale dates for 2027 departures before Solar Max declines.
Final Thoughts
For travelers who chase bucket-list moments, few combine spectacle and comfort like soaring above a glowing auroral oval, then soaking in a Yukon hot tub as green ribbons ripple overhead. With Solar Cycle 25 near its climax and only one aircraft dedicated to the program, the clock is ticking. Secure a window seat soon if you want front-row access to the heavens on the aurora 360 flight.