I recall being on a commercial jet from N'awlings to Washington DC one night back in the mid 80's. There was a bunch of sunspot / flair activity going on at the time. Pilot prompted us to look out the left side windows to see the aurora. It was awesome!! I'd guess we were somwhere over Kentucky or Tennessee at the time. It was a cooler display than I'd ever seen, even better than when camping in Northern Ontario as a kid.