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EasyJet pilot dims cabin lights and circles plane mid-air to treat flyers to ‘incredible’ view of Northern Lights

EasyJet pilot from Reykjavik to Manchester made a 360-degree turn mid-flight so passengers could see the Northern Lights, giving them a wholesome experience

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: The Northern Lights have always been a fascinating and beautiful sight that everyone must see at least once, and a pilot driving a plane understood it perfectly as he made a 360-degree turn in the middle of his flight so his passengers could get a look! At a time when planes turning around due to horrid weather or unfavorable landing situations are common, it was a wholesome moment as the pilot of the U21806 from Reykjavik to Manchester took an unusual route to allow his passengers to see the famed Northern Lights.

Of course, given how beautiful the sight was, those aboard the plane had no qualms about the delay in landing. One such passenger, Adam Groves of Cheshire, took to Twitter to express his thanks to the pilot for doing "a 360" and giving them an opportunity to take in the view. Groves had just gotten engaged and was flying with his fiancée, Jasmine Mapp. The pair’s romantic getaway ended perfectly as they got to see the Lights together from their seats on the plane. It was a great surprise for the couple, who had tried to see the aurora in Iceland but couldn’t.

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‘Did a 360 loop around for everyone to see’

While Groves and Mapp’s unsuccessful attempt at getting to see the Northern Lights dampened their spirits, their pilot's kind gesture left them floored. "We were hoping to see them while we were out there, but we didn't get the chance. We took off and halfway into the flight the pilot turned all the lights off and the view could be seen out the left window,” Groves said, according to LadBible. "But we were sitting on the right-hand side and after a few minutes the pilot switched back and did a 360 loop around for everyone to see."

Mapp had also opened up about the surreal experience, detailing how it was the perfect way to end their romantic getaway. "After days of jumping in the car at any opportunity to try and find the northern lights without spotting them, finally getting to see them in the sky was the perfect ending to a very special trip."

EasyJet lauds pilot for going ‘above and beyond’ for customers

The airline company, EasyJet also issued a statement regarding the wholesome experience, made possible by the accommodative pilot. “We are pleased that the captain on our flight from Reykjavik to Manchester yesterday evening was able to perform a controlled manoeuvre in order to allow passengers to witness an amazing display from the air of one of nature's greatest sights, the aurora borealis,” a spokesperson for the airline had said.

“Our crew will always go above and beyond for our customers and we're delighted to have been able to share this special view of the northern lights with them.”