Delta Airlines is offering a unique opportunity for umbraphiles to witness the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 from the sky. Passengers on special flights, including Delta Flight 1218 from Austin to Detroit, will experience the eclipse at its peak. Other flight routes have also been selected for prime viewing. This marks the last total eclipse over North America until 2045.
For the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, Delta Airlines is offering individuals the unique opportunity to experience the celestial event mid-air. On carefully selected flights, passengers will get to see the breathtaking spectacle at an altitude of 30,000 feet.
Delta’s lead meteorologist, Warren Weston, stressed on the importance of the upcoming eclipse, noting that it will be the final total eclipse visible over North America until 2044. This eclipse will also be noteworthy on its own, in that it will have significantly longer duration and a wider path than the one before in 2017.
Delta’s upcoming flight 1218, scheduled to depart from Austin, Texas to arrive in Detroit, Michigan is going to be the flagship “Path-of-Totality” flight. All aboard this flight will have the unique opportunity to witness the eclipse in all its glory, owing to the oversized windows on the A220-300 aircraft. The flight is set to depart at 12:15 p.m. CDT and land at 4:20 p.m. EDT. This is meticulously timed to coincide with the height of the eclipse.
In addition to their flagship flight, here are 5 other routes that Delta has identified, sure to provide a mesmerizing view of the eclipse:
1. DL 5699: Departing from DTW to HPN at 2:59 p.m. EST, operated on an ERJ-175.
2. DL 924: Departing from LAX to DFW at 8:40 a.m. PST, operated on an A320.
3. DL 2869: Departing from LAX to SAT at 9:00 a.m. PST, operated on an A319.
4. DL 1001: Departing from SLC to SAT at 10:08 a.m. MST, operated on an A220-300.
5. DL 1683: Departing from SLC to AUS at 9:55 a.m. MST, operated on an A320.
With seats on the “Path-of-Totality” flight quickly selling out, all those who wish to experience the eclipse in an unparalleled manner may opt for these alternative options. However, it is important to keep in mind that being at an altitude of 30,000 does not exempt anyone from the damages caused by not wearing protective eye gear, so remember to bring protective viewing glasses in order to safely enjoy the event!
Delta Airlines has notified travelers that flight schedules may be subjected to modification, owing to external factors such as weather conditions and air traffic control. Despite all this, Delta is committed to ensuring that passengers have an incredible celestial experience viewing the eclipse.
By Jenel Treza Albuquerque
