As mentioned in an earlier post (Sunrise at 38,000 feet), I’m one of those passengers who is busy fiddling with the in-flight entertainment system during red-eye flights (I try to be really quiet – promise!).

If I’m at the window seat, I’m often peeking out at the changing hues of the sky, or the cities and landscape below – if we aren’t above the clouds.

If I happen to have my camera or phone in hand – shots of these are a must.

Though, the cameras I have, haven’t been able to capture the amazing night scenes as we fly over large cities. I regret this when flying over India (Bengaluru to be exact) earlier this year, and more so during one memorable night take-off over Taiwan on the eve of Chinese New Year a few years ago.

As the plane ascended, just after midnight the sparkling lights from fireworks illuminated the city below. It was scene like no other I have seen from thousands of feet above, and I was kicking myself over not having the right equipment to capture this.

Below are shots of a transpolar flight I took several years ago as we flew over the north-pole on a flight from New York to Hong Kong.

It was late summer, but the floating ice and snow could be seen in several spots along the route.

A friend who used to be a flight crew with a middle eastern carrier had the privilege of catching a glimpse of the ‘aurora borealis’ as his flight flew over the north-pole during winter.

Cabin crew and pilots are however only allowed to fly one or two transpolar flight in a month to minimise exposure to radiation on this route.