By Shawn Gallagher
All year round, I’m constantly looking for flights that could be a part of a memorable trip. As you can imagine, I have all sorts of routes and flights on my list that I want to try sometime soon. However, there is one flight that stands out and has made my bucket list.
Japan Airlines flight 41 from Tokyo Haneda to London Heathrow is an overnight flight that goes over the North Pole. Let me explain why this flight is on my bucket list.
Why This Flight Is Unique
I recently came across this flight while looking at the departure board at Tokyo Haneda Airport. I always knew this overnight flight existed but never thought much of it. However, there are several unique aspects to this flight that I had looked over.
First, everybody on this flight gets lounge access. Everyone, including all passengers in economy class. This is a 14 hour flight that leaves late at night, meaning there’s no meal service after takeoff so that passengers can sleep (there’s a small snack service for passengers who want to eat). Because of this, JAL lets everyone access the lounge.
It’s late at night with not a lot of other JAL flights, so it makes sense why they’d do this.
Visit this page on the JAL website for more information.
Another unique part of this flight is that it takes the polar route on the way to London due to deviations related to the Ukraine/Russia War. Being at the northernmost points of the planet is a surreal experience, and you’ll have a very good chance of being able to see the northern lights.
I have been on flights that took me over Northern Alaska and had my fair share of luck seeing the lights, like my Tokyo to Chicago flight on JAL’s business class, and Tokyo to Boston also with JAL. However, I’ve never been on a flight that took me directly over the North Pole.
The chances are good if you fly in the fall and winter months. Read my tips on how to see the northern lights from an airplane.
Lastly, this is a night flight leaving at midnight and arriving in the morning. I personally prefer night flights more than day flights. I can get better quality rest, and I’m also not wasting a day traveling.
Also, who doesn’t love sunsets and sunrises from an airplane?
Bottom Line
Japan Airlines flight 41 isn’t the normal long-haul flight you’d take all the time. From everybody on the flight getting lounge access to flying overnight over the North Pole, there’s a lot to look forward to that you otherwise wouldn’t experience on another flight.
If your plans allow it, I would highly suggest considering this unique flight. I as well, will be thinking about taking this flight sometime in the near future.
All photos taken by the author.