If you’ve been considering a vacation this spring, why not line it up with the April 8 total solar eclipse? In just a matter of weeks, the Moon will sweep in front of the Sun, blocking the latter celestial body entirely in just a few parts of the United States. To prepare for this dazzling event, Delta is reportedly arranging a special flight designed to maximize travelers’ time in the path of totality.
Delta shared that flight 1218 out of Austin would “give those on board the best chance of safely viewing the solar eclipse at its peak.” Leaving Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) at 12:15 p.m. CT and landing in Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) at 2:40 p.m. CT, flight 1218 effectively follows the band of totality that will cross between the South Central US and the Midwest. The flight will utilize an Airbus A220-300, which offers larger windows (11 by 16.5 inches) than your typical commercial passenger jet (9 by 12.5 inches). As of this writing, a single main cabin seat on flight 1218 costs $469, while a first-class seat runs $769.
“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,” Eric Beck, Delta’s managing director of domestic network planning, said in the airline’s statement. “Thanks to teams across the company, the idea of viewing a total eclipse from the air will become a reality for our customers.”
Travelers beginning their journeys in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City will have a unique opportunity to watch the solar eclipse from the air—they just won’t catch a lengthy view of totality. They also won’t benefit from the A220-300’s bigger windows, except on flight 1001 into San Antonio.
DL 5699, DTW-HPN, 2:59 p.m. EST departure, ERJ-175
DL 924, LAX-DFW, 8:40 a.m. PST departure, A320
DL 2869, LAX-SAT, 9:00 a.m. PST departure, A319
DL 1001, SLC-SAT, 10:08 a.m. MST departure, A220-300
DL 1683, SLC-AUS, 9:55 a.m. MST departure, A320
It’s an immense privilege to hop on a jet just to watch a solar eclipse, but if doing so fits within your schedule and budget, these flights could make for a memorable experience. After all, this is the last total solar eclipse we’ll see from North America until 2044. Just don’t ask any airline chatbots for help with your travel plans.
Now read: NASA Asks the Public to Listen for Wildlife During April 8 Eclipse
