sas travel light

Choose the travel class that's Right for You

SAS offers travel classes to suit your next trip, no matter how you want to travel.

Sometimes you need that extra bag. Sometimes you’re just off for a weekend. But sometimes it’s longer than that. Sometimes you travel for work. And sometimes for pleasure. SAS offers travel classes to suit your next trip, no matter how you want to travel. Welcome onboard.

SAS Go Light

SAS Go Light gives you our best price on all trips within Scandinavia, to and from Scandinavia and Europe and the USA/Asia. It’s the best option for when you are travelling light with just a small  bag that will fit underneath the seat. You can easily add carry-on bags, checked baggage and other additional services to your Go Light ticket.

Your best choice when traveling with checked baggage. Choose SAS Go for a good deal within Europe, as well as for favorable return tickets to the US and Asia. (Inflight entertainment on long-haul flights)

Your best choice when you need flexibility and freedom to change your ticket. Choose SAS Plus for added comfort such as wider seats and ­adjustable neck and footrests (on long-haul flights). You can also check one bag, and you’ll earn more EuroBonus points than when flying in SAS Go.

SAS Business

Traveling far and need to arrive well rested? With SAS Business, you will get the best possible service and comfort with fully flat massage seats. You can check two bags as well as bring two carry-on bags onboard. You will also be treated to a three-course meal and entertainment.

• Travel recommendations
• The taste of travel
• Tips & tricks
• Travel experiences

SAS Airlines Carry-on size guide: All you need to know

Get ready to board your SAS Airlines flight in comfort. Read on to learn everything you need to know about flying on Scandinavian Airlines with carry-on baggage. Here, you will find a detailed guide on SAS Airlines’ carry-on size requirements so you can be prepared before your flight and avoid extra fees .

What is the carry-on policy on SAS Airlines?

All SAS Airlines passengers are allowed to fly with a carry-on. However, the carry-on allowance depends on both your destination and ticket type . For SAS GO Light when flying within Europe and Turkey, there is an extra charge for a single carry-on, while the same fare does not charge for a carry-on when flying within Canada, Asia, and the US.

On the other hand, when you purchase SAS Plus, SAS Business, and SAS Go Pro and Bonus tickets for a flight to the US, Canada, and Asia, you are allowed onboard with 2 carry-ons. Additionally, all these tickets allow passengers to have one under-seat bag.

What is the SAS Carry-on size and weight limit?

Your carry-on bag needs to be no larger than 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22 x 16 x 9 inches) in order to fit in the overhead compartment above your seat. The carry-on bag’s handles, pockets, and wheels are all included in this measurement. You can verify your carry-on’s dimensions at either of the size check monitors at the airline’s ticketing stations and departure gates if you’re unsure about its size.

Check out this article on maximizing your carry-on bag’s capacity for packing tips and use the Fee Assistant tool on the flight results page to calculate the impact of additional luggage on your travel costs before you purchase a flight ticket.

What is the carry-on liquid policy for SAS?

SAS liquid policy allows passengers to bring liquids including gels, and aerosols in containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml (3.4 ounces) on SAS flights. These containers must be put inside a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a one-quart maximum capacity. There is a limit of one such bag per traveler, and each one must be provided separately for inspection at the security checkpoint. Check this handy reference article for details about everything you can and can’t bring on a plane .

What extra items can you bring on board?

It is necessary to confirm any desired special baggage prior to departure. You can bring a diaper bag , a child car seat , and a stroller not exceeding 23kg at no extra cost if you’re traveling with an infant . If you’re not sure that your item fits these requirements, try using KAYAK’s Bag Measurement tool .

For an additional fee, owners of small cats and dogs may bring their pet as a carry-on for a fee . The pet must travel in a small pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you . This counts as your one carry-on item.

In addition, you can bring duty-free bags and airport purchases into the cabin along with your cabin baggage.

SAS carry-on FAQs

SAS normally enforces severe size restrictions for carry-on luggage, defining precise dimensions and weight constraints for in-cabin storage. It is possible that you can be requested to pay an extra fee for the bag if it exceeds the permitted dimensions or weight.

If you intend on bringing a backpack or a carry-on. According to SAS, travelers are often permitted to bring a backpack as a personal item and a carry-on bag to store in the overhead compartment. However, note that the personal item also has size restrictions.

Disclaimer: At the time of publishing (October 4th, 2023) all information was up to date and correct.

About the author

Explore more articles

California consumers have the right to opt out of the sale * of their personal information. For more information on how we securely process personal information, please see our Privacy Policy .

Do not sell my info ON

* The definition of "sale" under the California Consumer Privacy Act is applicable only to California consumers.

• Active topics
• Latest aviation news
• Airline experiences and trip reports
• Civil aviation / General aviation
• Military aviation
• Plane spotting forums
• Website related
• Manufacturers
• Trip reports
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines

SAS Go Light – for those who travel light

On 8 September, SAS will be introducing a new concept – SAS Go Light. This new offering is a supplement to the existing SAS Go and SAS Plus, and will be available on routes between Scandinavia and Europe. SAS Go Light is aimed at customers who want to travel only carrying hand luggage and secure their seats at the lowest possible price, and gives SAS’ customers an even greater choice to satisfy their travel needs.          

The September launch of SAS’ new offering, SAS Go Light, will significantly increase the number of options available to customers. The existing SAS Go and SAS Plus products will remain unchanged. SAS Go Light is a supplementary low-cost offering, aimed at people who want to travel without checking in luggage. As with all SAS products, SAS Go Light allows tickets to be re-booked within 24 hours, affords the option of selecting seats 22 hours before departure and gives travellers tea and coffee on board the aircraft. Customers may also pay for access to the SAS Lounge or to take extra luggage.

“ We’re seeing significant demand from today’s travellers for a more scaled-down alternative and lower price ticket. That’s why we’ve decided to launch SAS Go Light – a low-cost concept that is aimed at those who want to travel without checked luggage. As both SAS Go and SAS Plus will remain unchanged, our product range is set to become even wider, making it easier for our customers to choose the option that best matches their travel needs ,” says Stephanie Smitt Lindberg, VP Customer Journey & Loyalty at SAS.

The price of SAS Go Light will be around EUR 14 lower than SAS Go, and travellers will be able to add checked luggage for an additional EUR 25. Therefore, buying an SAS Go ticket will be the more cost-effective option if you need to check in bags.

The benefits normally afforded to SAS EuroBonus members will also be available on SAS Go Light. This means that Silver, Gold and Diamond members travelling on an SAS Go Light ticket will be able to check in luggage at no additional cost.

The concept is set to be rolled out on 8 September, initially as a test on routes between Scandinavia and six European countries – Finland, France, Greece, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. SAS Go Light will not be available on routes within Scandinavia. More information will be available at www.flysas.com on 8 September.

August 17, 2015 13:00 / SAS News / English

Related articles

Related articles more from author.

SAS unveils expanded winter destinations in Scandinavia

2.1 million passengers travelled with SAS during April

Air France/KLM loyalty programme Flying Blue launches exclusive status match for Swedish travellers

Leave a reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign me up for the daily newsletter. We protect your data, read our privacy policy .

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Aviation24.be latest

Climate protesters disrupt munich airport, causing 60 flight cancellations, t’way air reconnects seoul and zagreb after five-year hiatus, boeing’s starliner faces another delay due to helium leak, air greenland opens route to iqaluit, nunavut (canada), brussels airlines challenges permit for brussels airport: “limiting flights should be a last resort”, aviation24.be trending, singapore airlines pays staff 8-month salary bonus after $2.675 billion record profit, belgian air force’s first f-35a takes maiden flight, united airlines expands newark-tenerife service, boosting winter travel opportunities, caught on camera: ground staffer falls during turnaround transnusa airbus a320, delta air lines airbus a321neo evacuated in seattle after fire breaks out.

• Cookies policy
• Privacy policy

How Strict Is SAS With Carry-On Size?

When you fly, it is important to know the airline’s baggage allowances, especially for carry-on. 

Every airline is slightly different, and SAS has its own limits for luggage that passengers must follow. 

SAS is fairly strict with its carry-on size. Passengers can usually bring one personal item measuring 16” x 12” x 6” (40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm) that fits under the seat in front of them. Additional carry-on bags may cost extra depending on ticket type and flight route.

• What are SAS Carry-On Luggage Requirements?

Carry-on requirements for SAS flights depend on your ticket type.

All SAS passengers are allowed one personal item, which is included in their fare. This item has to fit under the seat in front of you and should measure less than 16” x 12” x 6” (40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm). 

Additional carry-on luggage that fits in the overhead bins is included with some ticket types but not others .

If you’re bringing an extra carry-on, it can’t be bigger than 22” x 16” x 9” (55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm) or weigh more than 17 lbs (8 kg). 

• Can You Take More Than One Carry-On Bag on SAS Flights?

You can take more than one carry-on bag on some flights, but you’ll need a certain type of ticket to bring the bag for free.

If you’re flying SAS Go Smart, SAS Go Pro, SAS Plus Smart, SAS Plus Pro, SAS Go Bonus, and SAS Plus Bonus, you’re allowed one carry-on bag in addition to your personal item.

SAS Go Light tickets don’t have carry-on included with the fare, but you can purchase the extra bag if you need it.

Flights to/from Asia, Canada, and the US have different rules.

SAS Go Light, SAS Go Smart, SAS Go Pro, SAS Go Bonus, and SAS Plus Bonus passengers are entitled to one piece of carry-on in addition to their personal items.

Travelers flying SAS Plus Smart, SAS Plus Pro, SAS Business Smart, SAS Business Pro, and SAS Business Bonus get to bring two pieces of carry-on in addition to their personal items.

Double-check your reservation to confirm your baggage allowance for your flight.

• Can You Take an Extra Carry-On Bag For an Additional Fee?

Most tickets only entitle passengers to take one carry-on bag on the plane. 

If you’re flying to/from Asia, the US, or Canada and wish to bring another, you’ll need to upgrade your ticket, which can be more costly. 

Upgrades aren’t always available, as there are limited numbers of these tickets. 

The sort-of exception is SAS Go Light tickets for routes that don’t have carry-on included in the flight fare. These ticket holders can purchase one extra carry-on bag for an additional fee.

• What Happens if a Carry-On Bag Doesn’t Meet the Size Requirements?

If your bag is too large or too heavy, you’ll have to check it. 

You’ll then have to unpack anything you need during the flight and hold onto it or put it in a smaller bag. 

It can also be significantly more expensive to check the bag at the airport.

Always measure and weigh your bag before attempting to carry it on the plane.

• What are SAS Checked Luggage Requirements?

Checked luggage requirements for SAS flights depend on the type of ticket. 

While SAS doesn’t have specific measurements for each side of a suitcase, the maximum total size for checked bags is 62 in or 158 cm (length + width + height).

The max weight for checked bags is either 50 lbs (23 kg) or 70 lbs (32 kg), depending on your ticket type. 

If you’re only permitted a 50 lbs (23 kg) bag and your bag is overweight, you’ll be charged Heavy Baggage fees anywhere from $40-$130.

• How Many Bags Can You Check on SAS?

The number of bags you can check on your flight depends on your ticket type. 

The limits for checked baggage included with your ticket are:

• SAS Go Smart, SAS Plus Smart, SAS Go Bonus: 1 bag at 50 lbs (23 kg)
• SAS Plus Pro, SAS Plus Bonus: two bags at 50 lbs (23 kg) 
• SAS Business, SAS Business Bonus: two bags at 70 lbs (32 kg) 
• SAS Go Light: none

You can pay for additional luggage, but in some cases, it’s more affordable just to upgrade your ticket. 

Fees for extra baggage depend on the route and/or destination and whether you buy in advance or at the airport.

Additional luggage purchased online until 22 hours before departure costs between $25 and $119.

Purchasing extra bags at the airport or within 22 hours of departure costs $65 to $119.

The best time to buy is at least two weeks before your flight.

• Are SAS Luggage Size Requirements the Same as Other Airlines?

Almost all airlines have different rules for luggage. 

Not only are the carry-on sizes different, but also the checked luggage as well. 

If you fly with different airlines often, it can be hard to remember which sizes are for which airline. 

You can find information regarding baggage allowances on the airline website, and most airlines provide this information within your reservation. 

Fortunately, most luggage brands are designed to fit within airline size requirements, but measuring your bag before packing for your trip is usually a good idea.

• What is SAS’s Lost Luggage Policy?

SAS has a similar lost luggage policy to most other airlines. 

If your bag is missing, you will need to file a claim either online or at the airport.  

In most cases, missing luggage is located within 24 hours, but the airline will take responsibility if it isn’t. 

If your bag is damaged, you must report the damage at the airport, regardless of when you notice the problem. 

Whether reporting lost or damaged luggage, SAS will issue you a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) – an individual file reference associated with your baggage. Make sure you get a copy.

After a waiting period, SAS will address your claim, and you will be compensated for the luggage or the damage. 

Refer to SAS customer service or their website for detailed instructions on reporting delayed or damaged luggage.

When planning a trip, it’s always best to confirm your baggage allowance before you pack. 

SAS has particular rules based on flight routes and the type of ticket you buy. 

It can be confusing to figure out what applies to you, but once you do, it’ll save you time, effort, and money at the airport.

Table of Contents

Eric has been a travel addict since he finished college and a writer since he could hold a pen.

A native of Florida, he loves traveling and visiting unique places all over the world and has an ever-growing collection of travel tips and experiences.

Eric is a digital nomad, a fan of slow travel. He has been traveling for the last 7 years, and has visited over 40 countries.

• By Niko Suominen 02 June 2023 - 10 min read
• Tags: airline , review , Scandinavian Airlines
• Destination: Sweden

Common Questions

Review: sas economy class on airbus a320.

• By Niko Suominen
• 02 June 2023 - 10 min read

The content on this page includes affiliate links. While clicking on these links won't cost you anything extra, we may earn a modest commission from any purchases you make.

Are you flying with Scandinavian Airlines soon? Read our review and know what to expect from the booking to landing. Find out why we rate Scandinavian Airlines as a 3-star airline in the short-haul segment and whether we will fly with SAS again.

Covered in the Article

Sas connect, miles program - eurobonus, sas business and sas plus, ticket types, inflight service, sas carbon offset - how does it work, bottom line, scandinavin airlines.

Scandinavian Airlines System , commonly known as SAS , is the flag carrier of Sweden , Denmark , and Norway . Founded in 1946, SAS has grown to become one of the largest airlines in Europe, with a fleet of over 120 aircraft serving more than 190 destinations worldwide. SAS belongs to Star Alliance .

SAS is the leading airline in Scandinavia and has established itself as a strong and recognized brand. After the financially tough years, SAS has transformed its visual identity to distinguish itself from low-cost carriers and to target the True Travellers , those who travel frequently and generate the majority of the airline's revenue. The rebranding included new colours, photographer-designed SAS Sky gradients, a new uniform, and magazine-style printed materials.

Review of Finnnair

SAS Connect is a subsidiary of Scandinavian Airlines and therefore a part of the SAS Group . This airline's sole focus is to operate short-haul flights for SAS. It utilizes only a modern fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft. SAS Connect uses the same brand as Scandinavian Airlines.

Scandinavian Airlines' bases are located in Copenhagen-Kastrup , Stockholm-Arlanda , and Oslo-Gardemon airport. These bases are used for parking and operations of the aircraft. However, the airline has also many other focus cities in Sweden and Norway, for example, Gothenburg.

SAS operates a diverse fleet of over 120 aircraft, including narrowbody and widebody jetliners and regional aircraft. All of SAS' widebody aircraft are manufactured by Airbus, including Airbus A330-300s and Airbus A350-900s.

The airline's narrowbody fleet mostly comprises the Airbus A320 series, with new A320neo aircraft and a mixed selection of older A319-100, A320-200, and A321-200 models. Boeing 737NG family aircraft are also used, as are leased regional aircraft such as the ATR 72-600 turboprop and the Embraer E195LR.

SAS EuroBonus is a loyalty program launched in 1992. It rewards members for their travel, shopping, and everyday activities. Rewards are paid as points. The program has various airlines, hotels, and other partners.

EuroBonus has five different membership levels: Member, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Pandion . Membership levels are achieved by earning a certain number of points or flying a certain number of qualifying flights. The highest level, Pandion, is awarded personally by the CEO of SAS to 1,500 selected customers who contribute significantly to the airline.

Review of Finnair Short-Haul Business Class

SAS Travel Classes

SAS Go is the economy class of SAS. You get a seat from the middle or rear section of the cabin without free snacks or drinks. However, coffee and tea are still complimentary . It is possible to pre-book a seat for a fee.

There is no traditional Business Class on short-haul routes but it is replaced with SAS Plus Class which is a premium economy class . In Plus Class, a traveller gets a complimentary meal and drinks. In addition, there are fast-track and priority boarding services at the airport and also free SAS lounge access. People travelling in SAS Plus Class sit in the front of the cabin.

SAS Plus replaces SAS Business on short-haul routes.

SAS has multiple ticket types SAS Light being the cheapest one. A ticket in the SAS Light class does not include checked luggage or a large cabin bag. You can only take a small bag under-seat bag with. Other ticket types include complimentary luggage and more flexible booking conditions.

Everyone can bring free of charge a small under-seat bag into the cabin. More expensive ticket types have complimentary big cabin bags and checked luggage included. Others can buy the service for extra fees.

Checked luggage can weigh 23 kilograms without an overweight charge. The checked luggage service is not included in the SAS Light ticket type but it can be bought as an extra. Other ticket types include complimentary checked luggage.

Our SAS Flight

We flew a return flight from Helsinki to Stockholm. The flights were operated by SAS Connect but we bet that the majority of the passengers did not know that. SAS Connect uses the same brand as Scandinavian Airlines itself from a passenger's perspective, it does not matter who operated the flight.

We bough our ticket via Skyscanner . Third-party booking sites sell tickets usually a little cheaper than airlines themselves. That is the case with SAS too. We bought the cheapest SAS Light ticket without any extra services.

How to Find Cheap Flights?

We made check-in online on the internet. SAS's website and mobile application have excellent design and they are simple to use. The application is perhaps the best airline application we have seen.

It was also nice to notice that SAS promised to offset carbon emissions generated by EuroBonus members. That is a good reason to join the SAS EuroBonus program.

We got boarding passes by email and also to the SAS app.

Boarding at Helsinki Airport was a little mess. There were many boarding groups and we were put into group F. When it was our time to board the aircraft, the gates did not open and we had to contact the staff. The staff told us that we must pay for large cabin luggage to get in. We told them that we had not bought carry-on luggage extra service and we only had small bags with us. After that, the staff apologized and let us board the plane.

The SAS mobile app worked excellently during the boarding. It gave push notifications and continuously reported the status of the boarding process. We could even see in real-time how many per cent of passengers had boarded the aircraft.

When we boarded the aircraft at Helsinki for the outbound flight to Stockholm, the crew did not greet us . The same experience happened in Stockholm during deboarding. We were surprised at how inattentive to customers the flight attendants on this flight were. The return flight to Helsinki was a better experience whereas the crew were friendly and happy.

It seems that SAS has quality issues with their crew. Maybe those flight attendants in said flight had a bad day but they should still behave professionally.

Pilots gave many informative announcements on both short legs. They also spoke Swedish but the cabin crew spoke only English.

Airbus A320neo is a modern and quiet aircraft. The cabins were in excellent condition and decorated with neutral colours. Compared to Finnair , SAS uses darker shades of grey which increases the contrast in the cabin.

We travelled in SAS Go so only free coffee and tea were served. The service was done quite fast so we almost missed it. It was possible to buy snacks from the airline's menu including chocolate, chips and similar products. The crew were not active in selling the products.

Norwegian Air Review

SAS markets that there is a paid Wi-Fi service on the majority of the flights. On our flights, Wi-Fi was not available so we were not able to test it.

There were not flight information screens in the cabin.

We rate Scandinavian Airlines as a 3-star airline in the short-haul segment. The aircraft was comfortable and in excellent condition. The SAS app has also a perfect design and the brand is fresh.

SAS profiles as a premium airline but we did not see any difference to low-cost carriers. Having left non-greeted while boarding and deboarding by the crew on the first flight gave us a quite bad impression. Still, we are happy to fly again on SAS given that the price is reasonable.

Scandinavian Airlines offsets all CO2 emissions from its Eurobonus and Youth customers. For the year 2019, the airline offset 1.2 million tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to 32% of the passenger-related CO2 emissions. The offsetting is done by purchasing emission reductions from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This means that the equivalent amount of CO2 emitted is compensated through improvements in other sectors.

This alone is a good reason to fly with SAS and join the Eurobonus program. The offsetting price is included in the ticket price and you do not need to purchase it separately. A few other airlines sell similar services which usually cost 10 to 50 euros per flight ticket.

SAS is a well-known Nordic Airline. Finnair is its main competitor in Fennoscandinavia. Over the years, SAS has improved its brand a lot and the airline is now a decent brand. Even though the brand is good, the service level is quite similar to low-cost carriers.

There are many reasons to fly with SAS. Tickets are sometimes affordable and SAS Connect operates a brand new fleet. Connecting flights to Stockholm-Arlanda is a pleasant experience. SAS is surely one of the best options for travellers living in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Also, Finns fly often with SAS but there is a need to transfer at Arlanda Airport or Copenhagen Airport.

Have you flown with SAS? What kind of customer service have you experienced onboard Scandinavian Airlines? Share your experiences below!

Tags: airline , review , Scandinavian Airlines Destination: Sweden

You might also like

Add Comment

Stay tuned.

By subscribing to our newsletter, you won't miss interesting travel stories.

We store your email address carefully according to our Privacy Policy .

Book a trip

Contact customer care, sas introduces sas youth go light.

SAS launches SAS Youth Go Light, connecting Nordic countries and the US from 31 October 2018.  In addition, even lower prices are currently available on all classes of youth tickets. SAS Youth Tickets are always CO2-compensated.

Now, young travelers can choose to fly with cabin baggage only and enjoy even lower prices with SAS Youth Tickets.

On October 31st2018, SAS introduces ‘SAS Go Light’ for youth class tickets between the Nordic countries and the US.

SAS Youth Tickets, available to all travelers aged between 12 – 25, and including the new SAS Youth Go Light class, are always CO2-compensated, as part of SAS’ environmental and sustainability work.

– Many of our passengers, especially young travelers, make active choices to promote a sustainable development, while also being on a limited budget. SAS strives to use innovative solutions and new technology to make aviation more sustainable, says Lars Andersen Resare, Head of Environment and CSR for SAS.

SAS Youth Go Light is smart way to travel with SAS. Travelers can bring one cabin baggage and a small handbag or laptop bag on board.

SAS Youth Go Light is available on all SAS flights between Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland to New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Flying to the US from Finland includes a connection in either Stockholm, Copenhagen or Oslo.

In addition, even lower prices are currently available on all classes of youth tickets. Young travelers can explore Scandinavia and Europe from only 399 SEK / 399 NOK / 299 DKK. This offer is valid on youth tickets booked by midnight on 29 October 2018, valid for travel between 8 December 2018 – 31 March 2019.

Attached you will find a PDF-file with a list of SAS’ best travel hacks for young travelers.

Latest news

We at SAS use cookies to optimize our websites for your needs. By accepting you consent to cookies being used. If you want to find out more or disable cookies, please click here

Solar eclipse 2024: A traveller’s guide to the best places to be when the light goes out

O n 8 April 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America , providing an astronomical experience in many alluring locations.

Only a tiny proportion of humanity has ever witnessed a total eclipse – but tens of millions of people will be able to experience one as the “path of totality” sweeps from the Pacific to the Atlantic during the course of that magical Monday.

Here’s what you need to know about why you should see it and where to be.

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

The greatest show on earth comes courtesy of the lifeless moon. Normally the orbiting lunar lump merely provides earth with tides, moonlight and somewhere to aim space rockets. But roughly once a year the natural satellite aligns with the sun and, thanks to a geometric miracle, blots out the hub of the solar system to create a total eclipse.

“Even though the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, it’s also about 400 times closer to earth than the sun is,” says Nasa. “This means that from earth, the moon and the sun appear to be roughly the same size in the sky.”

A narrow band marking the “path of totality” carves an arc of darkness across the surface of our planet. If you are somewhere on that line at the predicted time, and you have clear skies, then the experience will become a lifelong memory.

The closer you are to the centre of the path of totality, the longer the total eclipse will last. The astronomer Dr John Mason, who has guided dozens of eclipse trips (and will be doing so again in 2024), says: “People down in southwest Texas will get about four minutes 20 seconds, and that reduces to about three minutes 20 seconds up in the northeast. That’s a pretty good, long total eclipse.”

What’s so good about seeing an eclipse?

In the days leading up to the eclipse, locations in the path of totality acquire something of a carnival atmosphere as astronomical tourists converge in excited anticipation.

On the day, the cosmological performance begins with a warm-up lasting more than an hour, during which the moon steadily nibbles away at the surface of the sun.

Suddenly, you experience totality. The stars and planets appear in the middle of the day. The air chills.

To testify to the heavenly fit between our two most familiar heavenly bodies, faint diamonds known as Baily’s beads peek out from behind the moon. They actually comprise light from the sun slipping through lunar valleys.

A sight to behold – so long as you can see the moon blotting out the sun and appreciate the mathematical perfection of nature in our corner of the galaxy.

Eclipses are entirely predictable: we know the stripes that the next few dozen will paint upon the surface of the Earth. But the weather is not. Cloud cover, which blighted the Cornwall eclipse in 1999, downgrades a cosmological marvel to an eerie daytime gloom.

Almost as predictable as the eclipse is that traffic towards the path of totality will be heavy on the morning of 8 April 2024.

Accommodation rates are astronomical: even humdrum motel rooms in Niagara, central in the path of totality, are selling for C$600 (£350) for the night of 7-8 April 2024.

Where will the great American eclipse 2024 be visible?

The path of totality makes landfall from the Pacific at Mazatlan on Mexico’s Pacific Coast and sweeps northeastwards to reach the US-Mexican border at Piedras Negras.

In the US, three big Texan cities – San Antonio, Austin and Dallas – are on the extremes of the path of totality; many citizens are likely to drive to locations near the centre of the line.

Arkansas will be an attractive place to see the eclipse , with both Texarkana (on the border with Texas) and Little Rock within the path of totality.

In the Midwest, Indianapolis and Cleveland share the distinction of being fairly central in the path of totality. In upstate New York, Buffalo and nearby Niagara Falls (shared with Canada) could be extremely attractive – though prone in early April to cloudy skies.

In Canada , Montreal is just touched by the path of totality. The line then reverts to the US, passing across northern Maine – which promises to be a superb with clear skies. Then back to Canada’s Maritime Provinces, with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland all in the line of darkness.

Will I be able to see a partial eclipse from the UK?

Yes. The eclipse ends with the sunset in the eastern Atlantic, about 600 miles off the coast of Cornwall , before it reaches the UK and Ireland . But on the island of Ireland and western parts of Great Britain, a partial eclipse may be visible with the sun low in the sky.

If skies are clear and you have an open view to the west, it will start at around 7.55pm in Cardiff, Liverpool , Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

BBC Weather presenter Simon King said: “With the partial solar eclipse occurring late in the day UK time, the Sun will be low to the horizon and will actually set before the spectacle is over.”

Can I combine an exciting city with a partial eclipse?

Boston, New York and Chicago are among the big cities that will see a sizeable chunk of the sun blotted out. Viewer as far apart as Alaska and the far north of Colombia and the Caribbean will, if skies are clear and they use the correct eye protection, see a partial eclipse. But there is nothing to compare with a total eclipse.

Eclipse guru Dr Mason sums up the difference between a 99 per cent partial eclipse and a total eclipse as far apart as “a peck on the cheek and a night of passion”.

“There will be people who will look at the map and say, ‘I live in Cincinnati or I live in Columbus [Ohio] and I’m just outside the zone of totality. But I’m going to get a 99 per cent-plus eclipse, so maybe I won’t bother to travel’.

“What they don’t realise is there an enormous difference between 99 per cent and 100 per cent. And there’s a range of phenomena that they won’t see if they put up with 99 per cent.”

You must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers when viewing a partial eclipse or during the partial phases of a total solar eclipse.

Where should I be for the total experience?

There are no guarantees of clear skies: all you can do is play the odds based on the record of cloud cover for the corresponding date in previous years.

Dr Mason says the average expected cloud cover amounts increase from around 40-45 per cent on the Mexico/Texas border to over 80 per cent in Maine, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Three particularly tempting locations:

• Southern Texas , close to San Antonio or Austin. Besides clear skies being more likely than not, access is easy with direct flights to Austin. Importantly there is much to explore in the region before and after the eclipse, from Big Bend National Park on the Rio Grande to Space Center Houston – an excellent place to continue the cosmological theme.
• Northern Arkansas , a picturesque part of the state, with the added attraction of Memphis just a couple of hours away.
• Niagara Falls : the dramatic border between the US and Canada could be an eclipse washout due to clouds. But the natural surroundings are impeccable – and there is plenty of accommodation, which will avoid the risk of being caught in severe traffic congestion on the freeways from Toronto and locations in New York State.

However, the most recent forecasts for cloud cover suggest that the Midwest around Indianapolis and the northeastern state of Maine could have the best prospects.

When are the next total solar eclipses?

Summer 2026 – Wednesday 12 August, to be precise – should bring a spectacular eclipse visible in northern Spain at the height of the European holiday season. The path of totality begins in the Arctic and crosses Greenland and Iceland before arriving in the northern half of Spain. The stripe of darkness will traverse the great cities of Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia in mainland Spain before arriving in Palma de Mallorca.

The following summer (2 August 2027), the southern tip of mainland Spain is in the path of totality for an eclipse that will sweep across North Africa and the Arabian peninsula : going east from the Strait of Gibraltar, it will encompass Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, the northeasternmost corner of Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Just under 12 months later, on 22 July 2028, Outback Australia will be the place to be. A total eclipse will make landfall in northern Western Australia, sweep across the Northern Territory and part of southwest Queensland – then clean across New South Wales, with Sydney in the middle of the path of totality.

Winter cloud cover could disrupt the experience in Australia’s largest city – and is very likely in the southern portion of New Zealand’s South Island where the eclipse reaches a finale.

Australia also features in the cosmological plans on 25 November 2030. This is early summer in the southern hemisphere, and likely to be good conditions for viewing in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa (Durban is on the path of totality) as well as South Australia.

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

A Groundbreaking Scientific Discovery Just Created the Instruction Manual for Light-Speed Travel

In a first for warp drives, this research actually obeys the laws of physics.

If a superluminal—meaning faster than the speed of light—warp drive like Alcubierre’s worked, it would revolutionize humanity’s endeavors across the universe , allowing us, perhaps, to reach Alpha Centauri, our closest star system, in days or weeks even though it’s four light years away.

The clip above from the 2016 film Star Trek Beyond showcases the effect of a starship zipping through space inside a faster-than-light warp bubble. You can see the imagined but hypothetically accurate warping of spacetime.

However, the Alcubierre drive has a glaring problem: the force behind its operation, called “negative energy,” involves exotic particles—hypothetical matter that, as far as we know, doesn’t exist in our universe. Described only in mathematical terms, exotic particles act in unexpected ways, like having negative mass and working in opposition to gravity (in fact, it has “anti-gravity”). For the past 30 years, scientists have been publishing research that chips away at the inherent hurdles to light speed revealed in Alcubierre’s foundational 1994 article published in the peer-reviewed journal Classical and Quantum Gravity .

Now, researchers at the New York City-based think tank Applied Physics believe they’ve found a creative new approach to solving the warp drive’s fundamental roadblock. Along with colleagues from other institutions, the team envisioned a “positive energy” system that doesn’t violate the known laws of physics . It’s a game-changer, say two of the study’s authors: Gianni Martire, CEO of Applied Physics, and Jared Fuchs, Ph.D., a senior scientist there. Their work, also published in Classical and Quantum Gravity in late April, could be the first chapter in the manual for interstellar spaceflight.

Positive energy makes all the difference. Imagine you are an astronaut in space, pushing a tennis ball away from you. Instead of moving away, the ball pushes back, to the point that it would “take your hand off” if you applied enough pushing force, Martire tells Popular Mechanics . That’s a sign of negative energy, and, though the Alcubierre drive design requires it, there’s no way to harness it.

Instead, regular old positive energy is more feasible for constructing the “ warp bubble .” As its name suggests, it’s a spherical structure that surrounds and encloses space for a passenger ship using a shell of regular—but incredibly dense—matter. The bubble propels the spaceship using the powerful gravity of the shell, but without causing the passengers to feel any acceleration. “An elevator ride would be more eventful,” Martire says.

That’s because the density of the shell, as well as the pressure it exerts on the interior, is controlled carefully, Fuchs tells Popular Mechanics . Nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, according to the gravity-bound principles of Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity . So the bubble is designed such that observers within their local spacetime environment—inside the bubble—experience normal movement in time. Simultaneously, the bubble itself compresses the spacetime in front of the ship and expands it behind the ship, ferrying itself and the contained craft incredibly fast. The walls of the bubble generate the necessary momentum, akin to the momentum of balls rolling, Fuchs explains. “It’s the movement of the matter in the walls that actually creates the effect for passengers on the inside.”

Building on its 2021 paper published in Classical and Quantum Gravity —which details the same researchers’ earlier work on physical warp drives—the team was able to model the complexity of the system using its own computational program, Warp Factory. This toolkit for modeling warp drive spacetimes allows researchers to evaluate Einstein’s field equations and compute the energy conditions required for various warp drive geometries. Anyone can download and use it for free . These experiments led to what Fuchs calls a mini model, the first general model of a positive-energy warp drive. Their past work also demonstrated that the amount of energy a warp bubble requires depends on the shape of the bubble; for example, the flatter the bubble in the direction of travel, the less energy it needs.

☄️ DID YOU KNOW? People have been imagining traveling as fast as light for nearly a century, if not longer. The 1931 novel Islands of Space by John W. Campbell mentions a “warp” method in the context of superluminal space travel.

This latest advancement suggests fresh possibilities for studying warp travel design, Erik Lentz, Ph.D., tells Popular Mechanics . In his current position as a staff physicist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington, Lentz contributes to research on dark matter detection and quantum information science research. His independent research in warp drive theory also aims to be grounded in conventional physics while reimagining the shape of warped space. The topic needs to overcome many practical hurdles, he says.

Controlling warp bubbles requires a great deal of coordination because they involve enormous amounts of matter and energy to keep the passengers safe and with a similar passage of time as the destination. “We could just as well engineer spacetime where time passes much differently inside [the passenger compartment] than outside. We could miss our appointment at Proxima Centauri if we aren’t careful,” Lentz says. “That is still a risk if we are traveling less than the speed of light.” Communication between people inside the bubble and outside could also become distorted as it passes through the curvature of warped space, he adds.

While Applied Physics’ current solution requires a warp drive that travels below the speed of light, the model still needs to plug in a mass equivalent to about two Jupiters. Otherwise, it will never achieve the gravitational force and momentum high enough to cause a meaningful warp effect. But no one knows what the source of this mass could be—not yet, at least. Some research suggests that if we could somehow harness dark matter , we could use it for light-speed travel, but Fuchs and Martire are doubtful, since it’s currently a big mystery (and an exotic particle).

Despite the many problems scientists still need to solve to build a working warp drive, the Applied Physics team claims its model should eventually get closer to light speed. And even if a feasible model remains below the speed of light, it’s a vast improvement over today’s technology. For example, traveling at even half the speed of light to Alpha Centauri would take nine years. In stark contrast, our fastest spacecraft, Voyager 1—currently traveling at 38,000 miles per hour—would take 75,000 years to reach our closest neighboring star system.

Of course, as you approach the actual speed of light, things get truly weird, according to the principles of Einstein’s special relativity . The mass of an object moving faster and faster would increase infinitely, eventually requiring an infinite amount of energy to maintain its speed.

“That’s the chief limitation and key challenge we have to overcome—how can we have all this matter in our [bubble], but not at such a scale that we can never even put it together?” Martire says. It’s possible the answer lies in condensed matter physics, he adds. This branch of physics deals particularly with the forces between atoms and electrons in matter. It has already proven fundamental to several of our current technologies, such as transistors, solid-state lasers, and magnetic storage media.

The other big issue is that current models allow a stable warp bubble, but only for a constant velocity. Scientists still need to figure out how to design an initial acceleration. On the other end of the journey, how will the ship slow down and stop? “It’s like trying to grasp the automobile for the first time,” Martire says. “We don’t have an engine just yet, but we see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Warp drive technology is at the stage of 1882 car technology, he says: when automobile travel was possible, but it still looked like a hard, hard problem.

The Applied Physics team believes future innovations in warp travel are inevitable. The general positive energy model is a first step. Besides, you don’t need to zoom at light speed to achieve distances that today are just a dream, Martire says. “Humanity is officially, mathematically, on an interstellar track.”

Before joining Popular Mechanics , Manasee Wagh worked as a newspaper reporter, a science journalist, a tech writer, and a computer engineer. She’s always looking for ways to combine the three greatest joys in her life: science, travel, and food.

.css-cuqpxl:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} Pop Mech Pro: Science .css-xtujxj:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}

Could Freezing Your Brain Help You Live Forever?

The CIA’s Secret Plan to Use Mind Control

The Universe Could Be Eternal, This Theory Says

Immortality Is Impossible Until We Beat Physics

How Vacuum Energy Could Help Us Reach Light Speed

Could the Chair You Sit on Have a Soul?

Here’s How We Could Live in Trees

The Engine Driving Our Oceans Could Die by 2100

Can AI Help Solve Math’s Thorniest Mysteries?

You Can Give Your Body Back to Nature When You Die

How Does UFO Footage Play Tricks on Your Mind?

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

From August 1 Onward: Required Documents for Bringing a Dog into the United States

The documents on this website are specific to the importation of dogs under CDC’s updated dog and cat regulation, effective August 1, 2024. All suspension rules remain in effect through July 31, 2024. If your dog is entering the United States before August 1, 2024, you must follow the rules of the temporary suspension. Please find relevant information (and use the DogBot) at What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States . On August 1, the new requirements become effective.

The documents required depend upon where your dog has been vaccinated for rabies, and what countries they have been in during the six months before traveling to the United States.

Required documents for dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry:

• The CDC Dog Import Form will be accessible beginning July 15, 2024. Check back at that time for travel occurring on or after August 1, 2024.
• The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a U.S.-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the United States. U.S.-accredited veterinarians can access the form and its instructions at Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page
• Instructions for veterinarians are available here: Instructions to complete the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form [PDF – 4 pages] .
• This document can be shown instead of the  Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination  form.
• The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.

Required documents for dogs that departed the United States and have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before entry:

AND one of the following:

• The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a U.S.-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the Unites States. U.S.-accredited veterinarians can access the form and its instructions at Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page
• Lists the destination as the dog rabies-free or low-risk country from which the dog is returning (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information) (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
• Documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).

Required forms for dogs that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry (and do not have Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form)

• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form [PDF – 2 pages] Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
• Instructions to complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form [PDF – 2 pages]
• For information on CDC-registered animal facilities, see: CDC-registered animal care facilities .

Optional, in addition to above forms, to avoid 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility:

• For information on CDC-approved laboratories, see: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs .

Required documents for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk during the 6 months before entry (and do not have Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA-endorsed export health certificate)

• Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form
• Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form [PDF – 2 pages] Fillable Adobe PDF forms don’t function properly within web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, etc). You should download fillable PDFs and complete them using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
• Instructions to complete the Certification of Dog Arriving from DRMVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form [PDF – 2 pages]
• Veterinary records (including microchip number) for the previous 6 months
• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
• Valid rabies serology titer OR veterinary records (including microchip number) for the previous 6 months
• Contact your local veterinarian in the country of export for assistance obtaining this form.
• Travelers' Health
• Healthy Pets Healthy People
• Southern Border Health and Migration
• Port Health
• Division of Global Migration Health

To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address:

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

What's your chance of seeing the northern lights tonight? A look at Saturday's forecast

Illuminating the night sky with pink, green and gray colors, the northern lights made its appearance in the United Kingdom and the northern half of the United States on Friday. The magical phenomena could happen again tonight.

The show fascinated many onlookers as they took out their phones to capture the beauty of the night sky. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued extreme (G5) conditions across the United States. A storm of this intensity has not been seen since October 2003. The storm gained the name "Halloween Storm" and caused many power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa, according to Earth.com .

Meteorologists have predicted that the northern lights can be visible on Saturday as well as Sunday. If you are going outside to see the northern lights, forecasters want to remind the public that their solar eclipse glasses can be used for viewing the phenomenon.

Here's what you need to know to prepare for the next viewing of the northern lights.

The northern lights: Danced across the US last night. It could happen again Saturday.

What is the cloud forecast Saturday night? Will clouds block the northern lights?

If you missed the aurora borealis Friday night, you might still catch a glimpse on Saturday or Sunday, depending on where you live. But not if clouds get in the way.

The cloud forecast for Saturday night is generally good for most of America, but some of the people who missed their chance last night due to clouds may have a similar problem Saturday, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. Areas that are likely to be cloudy include New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as parts of the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

“Even just a few breaks in the clouds will allow the aurora to be visible,” Kines said. “There’s always hope.”

Peak visibility time Saturday night will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, with some chance until 2 a.m., Kines said. The best views will be in dark areas away from the light pollution of cities, he said, though some reported seeing the auroras Friday night from metro areas like Milwaukee and Detroit.

Sunday night, if there is any aurora to see, those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic can rejoice, because Kines said the skies should be clearer.

Where can you see the northern lights tonight?

The Space and Weather Prediction Center  offers an experimental forecast map  that shows the aurora may be visible in a wide swath of the U.S. including Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Other states like California, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida could also see the sky light up again for an encore performance. But visibility will depend on shifting factors that include weather, pollution and cloud cover.

Below are forecast predictions for seeing the northern lights in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana on Saturday.

Rain and clouds are expected to damper expectations to see the aurora borealis around the Rochester, N.Y. area . Elsewhere in NY, the  Lower Hudson Valley could see the lights again, if weather permits. 

NWS maps predicting the intensity and location of the northern lights Saturday and Sunday show the aurora will be visible in mid to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be mostly cloudy with some rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. The NWS predicted 48% to 58% sky cover in metro Detroit from 8 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. The western portion of both peninsulas are expected to have a lower cloud cover.

In the Milwaukee area , the evening is expected to bring mostly clear skies and overnight will have scattered clouds, said Tim Halbach, local meteorologist with the National Weather Service. 

Those living around the Cincinnati region could be treated to the northern lights Saturday night with the NWS' Wilmington, Ohio , office forecasting dry, partly cloudy conditions. Clouds shouldn't be an issue as many Ohioans reported seeing the lights Friday despite some cloud cover.

 In a telephone interview, Mike Bettwy, operations chief of the NOAA's  Space Weather Prediction Center  in Boulder, Co, said Indianapolis and surrounding areas might have a better chance of seeing the aurora today and Sunday.

They can expect clear skies tonight, Bettwy said.

"The aurora itself might be actually a little bit less active than it was last night," he told IndyStar. "I think the ability for you to see it will be better because the skies will be clearing out — at least in the Indianapolis area and that immediate vicinity."

Northern lights forecast path

If you want to get a better idea of if you will be able to see the northern lights from your state, check NOAA's aurora forecast tool , which has a 30-minute forecast window. 

The auroras are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are famously best seen in high-latitude regions.

Scientist left amazed by the aurora

The aurora seen on May 10 amazed Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. She sent photos of the lights and the April eclipse to her friends in Italy. The northern lights weren't as prominent in Italy as it was in other places.

"And I sent them the picture that I took at the solar eclipse and I said, 'Can you imagine how fortunate I was this year, one month apart, I see these two incredible spectacles of the universe,'" she recalled telling them.

The phenomena seen Friday and possibly Saturday night isn't usual, she said.

"It's a very rare occurrence, especially because last night it was really visible," Fruscione said.

That's because the Earth's magnetic activity was at a nine, the highest the index goes, coupled with the Sun being at an active peak, causing eruptions. She added the colors cannot be predicted either as it depends on how the solar energetic particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen appears green, while nitrogen appears purple, blue or pink, she said.

"It just depends on which atoms in the atmosphere this particle interact with," Fruscione said.

She declined to predict how strong Saturday's aurora could be as it's not in her expertise, but said people make predictions all the time about space weather not just for the northern lights, but to ensure communications, space stations, astronauts and other matter in space doesn't get majorly disrupted.

Down on Earth, however, the activity is harmless to humans.

"It's completely harmless because the particles do not don't do not reach us," Fruscione said. "The reason why we see the colors is that the particle interacts with the atoms and they make these beautiful colors and that's it."

For Saturday, and any other day where chatter about the aurora borealis is high, Fruscione encouraged people to download an aurora forecasting app to their phones so they can see the colorful skies.

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights materialize when energized particles from the sun reach Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph,  according to Space.com . Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of rays, spirals and flickers that has fascinated humans for millennia.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta and Dinah Voyles Pulver , USA TODAY ; Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press ; Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; Contributing: Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer ; Contributing: Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; Rockland/Westchester Journal News ; Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter)

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Did You Make Your Connecting Flight? You May Have A.I. to Thank.

Airlines are using artificial intelligence to save fuel, keep customers informed and hold connecting flights for delayed passengers. Here’s what to expect.

By Julie Weed

Last month in Chicago, a United Airlines flight to London was ready to depart, but it was still waiting for 13 passengers connecting from Costa Rica. The airline projected they’d miss the flight by seven minutes. Under normal circumstances, they’d all be scrambling to rebook.

But thanks to a new artificial-intelligence-powered tool called ConnectionSaver, the jet was able to wait for them — their checked bags, too — and still arrive in London on time. The system also sent text messages to the late-arriving passengers and the people on the waiting jet to explain what was happening.

A.I. still might not be able to find space for your carry-on, but it could help put an end to the 40-gate dash — sprinting to catch your connecting flight before the door slams shut — as well as other common travel headaches.

It’s not just United. Alaska Airlines , American Airlines and others have been working to develop new A.I. capabilities that could make flying easier for passengers. The carriers are also using the technology to reduce costs and streamline operations, including saving fuel, said Helane Becker, an airline industry analyst for the investment bank TD Cowen . Although many of the airlines are developing their programs independently, a successful innovation by any carrier could possibly become an industry standard.

A.I. is poised to change almost every aspect of the customer flying experience, from baggage tracking to personalized in-flight entertainment, said Jitender Mohan, who works with travel and hospitality clients at the technology consulting company WNS .

Saving fuel and frustration

A.I. has been helping Alaska Airlines dispatchers plan more efficient routes since 2021. “It’s like Google maps, but in the air,” explained Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at the carrier.

Two hours before a flight, the system reviews weather conditions, any airspace that will be closed, and all commercial and private flight plans registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, to suggest the most efficient route. The A.I. takes in “an amount of information no human brain could process,” said Pasha Saleh, the corporate development director and a pilot for Alaska.

In 2023, about 25 percent of Alaska flights used this system to shave a few minutes off flight times. Those efficiencies added up to about 41,000 minutes of flying time and half a million gallons of fuel saved, Mr. Baskaran said.

On the ground, American Airlines and others are working on an A.I.-powered system American calls Smart Gating — sending arriving aircraft to the nearest available gate with the shortest taxiing time, and if the scheduled arrival gate is in use, quickly determining the best alternate gate. All this could mean fewer frustrating minutes spent waiting on the tarmac.

American introduced Smart Gating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in 2021 and now employs it at six airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Miami International. The airline estimates it saves 17 hours a day in taxi time and 1.4 million gallons of jet fuel a year.

Mr. Mohan said that using A.I. as a virtual parking attendant could save up to 20 percent of taxiing time, with the highest benefits seen at the largest airports.

Faster and better customer service

Rapidly evolving generative A.I. — think ChatGPT — is helping airlines communicate with passengers better. At United, a companywide challenge last year yielded a plan to make texts sent to fliers more specific about what’s causing delays. Passengers can get frustrated when flights are delayed with no explanation, said Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer.

But tracking the details required, composing an appropriate message and sending it to the right people for 5,000 flights a day would be too much for the staff to handle, Mr. Birnbaum said. Generative A.I. can process all that data and create messages tailored to conditions. For example, passengers booked on a January United flight from San Francisco to Tucson received this text message, along with a new departure time and an apology: “Your inbound aircraft is arriving late due to airport runway construction in San Francisco that limited the number of arrivals and departures for all airlines earlier.”

Having a more detailed explanation can calm travelers’ nerves. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst who flies about 150,000 miles a year, recalled receiving text messages last summer explaining that a storm and a related crew-scheduling problem had delayed his flight from Chicago. “Getting a specific reason for the delay made me feel like the airline had things under control,” he said.

Generative A.I. is also good at summarizing text, making it a powerful tool for wading through emails. Last year, Alaska was among the carriers that began using A.I. to handle customer messages more efficiently. The airline’s system “reads” each email and summarizes the issues raised.

“We used to read first in first out, handling the requests as they came in,” said Mr. Baskaran, but now the system helps prioritize emails. For example, an urgent request involving an upcoming flight may take precedence over a complaint about a past one.

The system also helps a human agent decide how to respond, such as offering the customer a voucher, and it may draft an initial written response. “The person makes the decision, but it’s streamlined,” Mr. Baskaran said.

For all the benefits A.I. promises to airlines and passengers, the technology still has some shortcomings. For one, it doesn’t always deliver accurate information. In 2022, an Air Canada chatbot incorrectly promised a traveler that if he booked a full-fare flight to a relative’s funeral, he could receive a bereavement fare after the fact. When he filed a small-claims case, Air Canada tried to argue that the bot was its own separate entity, “responsible for its own actions,” but a tribunal found Air Canada responsible and ordered it to pay about $800 in damages and fees.

Still, as A.I. develops and airlines race to find more uses for it, passengers could see even more benefits. “As a customer and a business person, this is one of the biggest technology disruptions in the last five to eight years,” Mr. Mohan said.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article, in a quotation from Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at Alaska Airlines, misstated the number of gallons of fuel an artificial-intelligence-powered planning system saved the airline in 2023. It was half a million, not half a billion.

How we handle corrections

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .