Delta Air Lines wants to fly you through the 2024 total solar eclipse from 30,000 feet in the sky

Delta Air Lines wants to fly you through the 2024 total solar eclipse from 30,000 feet in the sky

If you seek a distinct encounter with the total solar eclipse, Delta Air Lines offers a special flight following the path of totality.

This offers a rare opportunity to directly track the eclipse within the path of totality, providing a literal bird's-eye view of the total solar eclipse occurring on April 8, 2024. The journey commenced in Austin, Texas, departing at 12:15 p.m. Central Time and concluding in Detroit, Michigan, at 4:20 p.m. Eastern Time on the same date.

The Airbus A220-300 aircraft selected for the flight features expansive windows, allowing passengers to enjoy spectacular views of the eclipse during the journey.

"In carrying this trip to completion, broad joint effort highlights the affectionate cooperation significant of Delta's standing — from the cautious choice of an airplane with upgraded window elements to the exact booking of takeoff from Austin and the organized encounters both at the door and in-flight," expressed Eric Beck, Overseeing Head of Homegrown Organization Anticipating Delta Carriers, in a public statement. "With the commitment of gatherings across the affiliation, the vision of seeing a full scale eclipse from the skies will arise for our clients." 

While there will be just a single trip on the immediate way, different explorers can in any case get a brief look at the overshadowing while in transit to their objective on five different flights that day:

• 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

Concerned about flying or prefer to stay grounded while within the path of totality? You don't need to soar at 30,000 feet to secure an excellent view—just ensure you're in the correct place at the appropriate time.

"The April 8 eclipse marks the final total eclipse visible over North America until 2044," stated Warren Weston, Lead Meteorologist at Delta Air Lines, in a statement introducing the flight. "This eclipse will endure more than twice as long as the 2017 event and boasts a path nearly double in width."

Delta also issued a disclaimer acknowledging that, as always, external factors such as air traffic delays and weather conditions could affect the maximum time within the totality path. However, for seasoned flyers, planning ahead and maintaining a positive outlook are familiar practices for optimizing conditions!