(SQAUK) — In a surprising in-flight encounter, pilots on a commercial U.S. flight near Gallup, New Mexico, were taken aback by a series of bright circular lights maneuvering above their aircraft at an estimated altitude of 80,000 feet. The incident, which has sparked widespread curiosity, became public when conservative podcast host Charlie Kirk, a passenger on the flight, was invited to the cockpit to witness the sight and record the conversation with the pilots on video.
Visibly perplexed by what they witnessed, the pilots confirmed to Kirk that the lights were far above their cruising altitude. They described the lights as “really bright” and clearly stated that they were “not airplanes.” One pilot pointed out that the shapes appeared circular, a notable detail that eliminates many known aircraft or natural phenomena at such heights. “These aren’t planes,” one of them remarked on the record, expressing confusion about the strange shapes that hovered silently above.
According to the pilots, strange lights were visible for an extended period, flying in a formation and displaying patterns that would be unlikely for any commercial or military aircraft at that altitude. The estimated height—well above 80,000 feet—places the objects in a range typically occupied only by specialized military or research aircraft, making their appearance even more intriguing.
Kirk’s video, shared online, has since fueled further speculation, with viewers questioning if the lights could be related to advanced military technology, drones, or even extraterrestrial phenomena. However, no conclusive explanations have emerged, and aviation experts are puzzled by the event.
As public interest continues to rise, experts and enthusiasts increasingly question the nature of the lights and their unusual height and visibility in this region. Sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) have surged globally in recent years, often featuring unusual flight patterns and bright lights similar to those described by pilots. While theories range from high-altitude drones to classified government projects, no explanation has fully accounted for these mysterious sightings.
While pilots and officials remain silent on further details, the public continues to watch with anticipation for updates that may clarify one of the most peculiar in-flight sightings to date.
