November 25, 2025, 5:24 am | Read time: 3 minutes
There are people who love flying and are therefore happy above the clouds. It’s very different for those with a fear of flying–for them, the entire flight can become a torment. You see, happiness is very subjective when it comes to air travel. A flight tracking provider has now determined the “happiest” flight routes in the world based on a special foundation. TRAVELBOOK takes a closer look.
“Happiest” Flight Routes in the World–What It Means
Behind the selection is Wingbits, a recognized flight tracking provider that tracks aircraft in real time and has data on various operational parameters. And even though frequent flyers with frustrating experiences due to delays or other incidents might suspect otherwise, the “happiest” flight routes in the world are not rated by punctuality or comfort. Instead, a symbolic factor is decisive. You know what rainbows stand for, right?
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The travel portal “Travel and Leisure” reported on the publication of the “happiest” flight routes in the world. These are routes where passengers frequently fly over rainbows, which are known as symbols of luck, hope, new beginnings, and peace. Consequently, a superstition among pilots suggests that flying over a rainbow brings good luck during the journey. Wingbits, in collaboration with an atmospheric physicist, identified this potential by linking flight route data with meteorological analyses. At the same time, the routes pass over spectacular landscapes that leave lasting impressions on attentive passengers.
The Highest Rainbow Probability on These Routes
According to calculations, the happiest flight route in the world in terms of rainbow probability is the route between Washington D.C. and Toronto. It passes over the impressive Niagara Falls, which are already a remarkable sight. The combination of water masses and frequent sunny phases creates particularly many rainbows.
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Happy Flight Routes Also from Germany
Next in terms of rainbow probability are three flight routes–two of which start in Germany. Passengers can catch a bit of luck on a flight from Munich to Palma de Mallorca as well as from Frankfurt am Main to Rome. Similarly, the route from London Heathrow to Dubrovnik in Croatia offers the same potential. All three routes pass over the Italian Dolomites, specifically over Lake Carezza, known for its clear, reflective water and impressive mountain scenery. According to the atmospheric physicist involved in the project, quoted by “Travel and Leisure,” rainbows beautifully reflect on the smooth water surface after brief rain showers, while pastel sky moods give the scene an almost dreamlike quality.
Flight Attendant Swears by Another Natural Phenomenon
TRAVELBOOK asked a German flight attendant. She admits she had never heard of the reported superstition. Instead, she and her crews enjoy a completely different phenomenon: the Northern Lights. “They are always something special and have something magical,” she enthuses. As soon as they appear, the cockpit is immediately informed in the cabin, “and everyone rushes to the windows or into the cockpit to see the lights.”
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The chances of flying over the Northern Lights are particularly good over the U.S. West Coast, but also on short-haul flights to northern destinations. The colors and intensity can vary greatly. They don’t attribute any spiritual meaning to the Northern Lights–they are simply beautiful. And witnessing them can, of course, make one happy.