How a Quiet Flight to Iceland ‘Became Something Magical’ for One Pilot (Exclusive)

Una Gísladóttir, a first officer with Play Airlines, currently flies routes for the Icelandic airline between Iceland, North America and Europe. Through her travels, she’s been able to experience the auroras, a rare luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.

She writes here about what encountering the lights from the sky is like, as well as provides tips for photographing the northern lights if you have the opportunity.

As a Play Airlines pilot from Reykjavik, Iceland, my experience from 35,000 feet is truly unlike any other. You see, in the winter months, we’re not the only ones soaring across the arctic skies.

Not long ago, I was piloting a red-eye flight from the United States, bound for my home: Iceland. Crossing the North Atlantic Ocean, it was silent. All we could hear were the exchanges of other pilots on air-to-air radio frequencies, sharing updates on weather conditions ahead.

But, what felt like a routine overnight flight, became something magical.

About halfway through our journey, I noticed shades of green appear in the distance, followed by vivid pinks and purples. Within moments, the sky had turned into a mesmerizing painting, glowing all around our aircraft. It was as though nature put on a show, just for us.

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Those were the northern lights — and they felt within reach. It was my first time seeing them from the cockpit, illuminating our path home with an ever-changing palette. Up here, above the clouds and city lights, nothing stood in their way.

Since that night, I have been capturing photographs of the northern lights from my unique vantage point, hoping to inspire others around the world to experience Earth’s elusive ballet. 

Ask a scientist, and they will tell you that the northern lights are caused by solar flares, shooting across our solar system, resulting in colorful displays as they come into contact with our atmosphere.

But ask our Nordic ancestors, and they will give you mystical explanations that long predate scientific understanding.

In Estonia, legend says the northern lights are the heavenly tracks of horse-drawn carriages, making their way to a wedding ceremony. In Finland, many believed the northern lights to be the artwork of a celestial fox, dazzling the sky with its bushy tail.

 In my home country of Iceland, the lights hold other meanings. One in particular moves me most: the northern lights are the spirits of our departed loved ones, dancing in heaven.

Some are brought to tears when they see the northern lights, while others laugh in disbelief. Some stand still, in shock, as if they froze in the cold of night. Above all, this phenomenon has the unique ability to make us all forget about the challenges of the human world, and connect, in awe, with the marvels of the natural world. It’s an indescribable and unforgettable feeling.

The northern lights are as unique as fingerprints, no two displays are ever the same. But every time they grace us with their presence, it is humbling. It is wondrous. It is emotional.

Since I joined Play Airlines, I have had the privilege of flying thousands of people to Iceland. People from around the world, most of whom had only interacted with the northern lights in movies or dreams.

As an Icelandic native, I feel a responsibility to invite the world — through my photography — to experience the northern lights. I always tell my people, anyone: “You have to experience them for real at least once in your life.”

And if you haven’t yet, this season is the perfect time to do so. With the sun entering its peak in the solar cycle, this winter promises breathtaking auroras. It’s the most opportune time to experience them in 20 years.

For me, at 35,000 feet, the northern lights serve as a reminder of just how majestic our “home” truly is.

This winter, you too can capture the beauty of the northern lights in photos. Here are a few of my tips for photographing the northern lights with just your phone.

• Find an area with no light pollution. City lights drown out the auroras.
• Have a clear view to the north. As their name implies, the northern lights appear in the north. Be sure to find a location with a clear, northward view on the horizon.
• Make sure the sky is clear. The northern lights typically appear at altitudes of 70-200 miles above the ground, sometimes even higher. This means clouds can block them out. Be sure to check the weather and go to areas with clear skies.
• Use long exposure. Most smartphones have long exposure capabilities. This means that your phone will take 5 or 10 or even 30 seconds to capture a photo, allowing for more light to enter the camera’s sensor. To capture stunning photos, find instructions on how to use your phone’s long exposure settings.
• Take the risk. As with everything in nature, nothing is ever guaranteed. But take the risk. If they don’t appear, try again the next night. Trust me, you will not regret it.