Hi all,
I am a native californian and travel home often-- this year several times and on my most recent flight back noticed a real treat that i had never noticed before so thought i would share.
Usually on the 12-14 hour flight i will take a red eye and pop a sleeping pill that will knock me out for most of the way, but this last time i was on a daytime flight and was awake when we happened to be flying over alaska. It was light out as we were chasing the sun over the horizon and i peeked outside and my jaw just dropped. Hit the floor. The view over alaska was just phenomenal. It was like one of thos views from planet earth or frozen planet in real life. Endless snow capped mountains, winding frozen rivers, all completely untouched. The setting sun and sigur ros on my ipod added a wonderful silver lining.
So if you are ever crossing that area at that time (i was on cx879 from sfo fyi flying just past anchorage which is nestled between mountain ranges) i would say its worth the peak outside.
I also wonder if aurorae would be visible too on a redeye at the right time in the right direction. Anyone know?