It was recently reported that the 2024 total solar eclipse is happening in April and will see many people traveling to experience the event. Around 31 million Americans are living within the path of totality of the eclipse, which is a record-breaking event. Moreover, this is the last total solar eclipse in North America until 2044, so you don’t want to miss it. As reported here, various cruise lines are offering a chance to view the eclipse out at sea. Now, Delta Air Lines is offering another unique way to view the 2024 solar eclipse by plane.

Delta Air Lines offers ‘path of totality’ eclipse flight

On Monday, April 8, 2024, North America will see the last total solar eclipse until 2044. The path sweeps across the US from Texas to Maine, with many people planning to travel the path of totality.

Meanwhile, to offer travelers the chance to view the peak of the eclipse, Delta Air Lines is offering a special flight 1218 on April 8, from Austin to Detroit. The flight will be on an A220-300 plane, which offers larger windows. Moreover, the plane will be up in the air from 12:15 pm CT to 4:20 pm ET.

Eric Beck, Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning made a statement about the exciting flight, saying:

This flight is the result of significant collaboration and exemplifies the close teamwork Delta is known for – from selecting an aircraft with larger windows to determining the exact departure time from Austin and the experiences at the gate and in the air.

“Thanks to teams across the company, the idea of viewing a total eclipse from the air will become a reality for our customers,” Beck added.

If travelers can’t book this particular Delta flight, they should make sure they have their eclipse viewing glasses on the following flights, all taking off on April 8:

• DL 5699, DTW-HPN, 2:59 pm EST departure, ERJ-175
• DL 924, LAX-DFW, 8:40 am PST departure, A320
• DL 2869, LAX-SAT, 9:00 am PST departure, A319
• DL 1001, SLC-SAT, 10:08 am MST departure, A220-300
• DL 1683, SLC-AUS, 9:55 am MST departure, A320

Why the 2024 total solar eclipse is different

Warren Weston, Delta Air Lines’ Lead Meteorologist, pointed out that the April 8 eclipse is the last total eclipse North America will see until 2044, adding:

This eclipse will last more than twice as long as the one that occurred in 2017, and the path is nearly twice as wide.

Back in December, a report predicted that one to four million people were planning to travel specifically to experience the 2024 solar eclipse. Due to this, tour operators, cruise companies and now airlines are getting into the experience.

In October 2023, Southwest Airlines revealed a list of flights giving passengers solar eclipse viewing opportunities. Now it’s the turn of Delta Air Lines to offer one of the best ways to view and experience the total solar eclipse of 2024 from a height of 30,000 feet.