Head to Swedish Lapland on the New Direct Flight From London to Luleå

Photo of the Northern Lights by Graeme Richardson.

Swedish Lapland is one of the most incredible places on the planet; it is packed with culture, has breathtaking nature, and is a true bucket-list destination. The good news is it’s even easier to get there for British travellers with a new direct flight from London Heathrow to Luleå.

The new flight route was launched today and will make things much simpler for those wanting to experience a minibreak in Swedish Lapland. Imagine being able to stay in the world-famous Treehotel or driving a car over a frozen sea to a private island retreat; well, those things are now just a short flight from being realised.

The new three-hour flights depart every Friday from London Heathrow and fly directly into Luleå, which many regards as the gateway to Swedish Lapland.

Located 65° north, Luleå is ideally situated in the sub-Arctic region of Sweden and is a great place to experience some iconic Lapland adventures. From here, you can head off chasing the Northern Lights or embark on a dogsled adventure, immerse yourself in cultural activities along with many more exclusive experiences only possible in the region.

The flight is operated by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and will run from 17 December 2021 until 21 March 2022. It is the only direct flight between the United Kingdom and Swedish Lapland and is via an Airbus 320, regarded as one of the most fuel-efficient passenger aircraft in operation today.

Rachel Jelley, marketing manager for Sunvil, said, “Whether searching for the Arctic adventure, relaxation, luxury or culture, Luleå is now within reach for a weekend break.”

“The region has been a popular destination for authentic experiences, and the new flight has opened up Luleå for much more.”

Here are some of the weekend experiences on offer in Swedish Lapland:

If you’re after a romantic luxury break in Swedish Lapland, head an hour north to Harads. Here you can combine a stay at the world-famous Treehotel with an overnight luxury spa experiencing at the acclaimed Arctic Bath with luxury treatments, and should the mood take you, take the icy plunge through the ice into the Lule River.

Anyone looking to adventure further into nature can journey an hour north to Gunnarsbyn and the Aurora Safari Camp. Here you can stay in a traditional and very comfortable Sami Lavvu. You’ll also get the opportunity to take to the skies in on a Lapland ballooning experience, floating over the region by day. And for something even more memorable, watch the Northern Lights from the hot air balloon at night.

Also in Gunnarsbyn lies the Arctic Retreat, which is a stunning wilderness cabin set deep in the forest on the banks of the Råne river. This incredible lodge combines seclusion with luxury in perfect harmony and is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a romantic break or spend quality time with the family.

Swedish Lapland experiences are not only limited to the land. For another bucket-list moment, why not head out onto the sea on an Arctic Icebreaker? Along the coast from Luleå in either Kalix or Piteå, guests can board an Arctic Icebreaker, and if you’re brave enough, why not don a dry suit and get into the water itself!

Photo of the Aurora Hideaway dinner by Andreas Wälitalo.

Any visit to Swedish Lapland would not be complete without seeing the Northern Lights, so why not do it in style. The Aurora Hideaway Dinner takes you onto the sea ice from Brändön Lodge, where you’ll be served an exclusive dinner whilst searching for the Aurora overhead. In addition to this incredible dining experience, you can embark on a hovercraft adventure over the sea ice during the day and you are guaranteed a magical Lapland adventure.

For those keen to experience the sámi culture and arctic lifestyle in Swedish Lapland, a visit to the Huuva family is a must. The Huuva Hideaway is a hidden gem located in the small village of Liehittäjä with only ten inhabitants. Here you get a soulful experience of sámi culture, good food and storytelling.

If you simply want to get away from it all, and after the events of the past twelve months, we’re quite sure some of reading this would want to. Luleå is an ideal place for a drive over the ice road (formed each winter by the frozen sea ice) to Jopikgården in the Luleå Archipelago. Here, you can enjoy the seclusion the peace of island life whilst taking in local Swedish culture.

Finally, enjoy the local ambience, wildlife, food and Northern Lights from your own bubble lodge at the Ice and Light Village. With your cabin entirely enclosed in a protective bubble, simply kick back and relax, or use your cabin as a base to explore the local area.

“It is extremely gratifying that now, when the vaccinations are underway, we can start looking ahead again and that we will have an international flight route from Luleå Airport this winter. Accessibility will be important in the restart after the pandemic, and more direct routes are important for the region and the hospitality industry throughout Sweden”, says Ann-Christin Viklund, Airport Station Manager at Luleå Airport.

A long weekend to the Arctic Retreat with Sunvil will cost from £2473 per person, based on two people travelling. The package includes a direct flight from London Heathrow, private transfers, private log cabin on a full board basis.

Activities such as the husky tour, Jokkmokk Sami Culture, Moose Safari, Snowmobile Nature Tour and Ice Sculpting can be added at an additional cost; please check with Sunvil for more details.

For more detailed information on the places to stay and what to experience in Swedish Lapland, visit www.swedishlapland.com.