You’ve probably heard about the upcoming solar eclipse in April. This extremely rare phenomenon will be even more impressive to see from the sky. Delta, a U.S. airline, is organizing a special flight to admire the totality up close for as long as possible, but you’ve got plenty of other options too.
Here are the details of the Delta flight for the 2024 solar eclipse.
Overview of the Delta flight for the solar eclipse
Here are the highlights:
- On April 8, 2024, a rare total solar eclipse will darken the sky
- Eclipse chasers book flights to maximize this incredible experience
- Delta Air Lines organized a special flight from Austin to Detroit
- The trajectory coincides almost perfectly with the eclipse’s path of totality
- The schedule is designed to extend the viewing time of the eclipse
- So that passengers can fully enjoy the celestial spectacle
- Other regular flights have also a trajectory that allows you to admire the eclipse
Map of the special Delta flight and solar eclipse totality trajectory
Here’s a map to help you visualize the appeal of the special flight, or help you book a different one.
List of flights for the solar eclipse
Delta’s special flight for the solar eclipse is operated by an A220-300 (the former Canadian CSeries), which has extra-wide windows for even greater visibility. It’s Delta Flight 1218, and it will take off from Austin at 12:15 PM Central Time, arriving in Detroit at 4:20 PM Eastern Time.
This Delta Flight 1218 has been very popular and has been fully booked since February 20, but don’t lose hope!
If you too would like to observe this rare phenomenon from the sky, you can book another flight with the same or other airlines.
There are plenty of options available, since the North American airspace looks like this at any given time of day, whether or not it pleases those who don’t want to travel more.
If you’re interested, you can also manually search for other flights.
For example, Air Canada and American have direct flights that seem good:
- Air Canada Flight 1738 from Austin (AUS) to Toronto (YYZ) at 11:40 AM (A319)
- American Flight 1111 from Dallas (DFW) to Toronto (YYZ) at 12:29 PM (A319)
Direct flights between Texas and Montréal are in the air on a close trajectory, but maybe just a little too early:
- American Flight 1963 from Dallas (DFW) to Montréal (YUL) at 10:23 AM (A320)
- Air Canada Flight 1070 from Dallas (DFW) to Montréal (YUL) at 10:25 AM (A220)
Otherwise, you need to search for flights from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston to Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Cleveland, or St. Louis at these times.
Kiwi is our preferred tool for extensive searches like this.
In addition to the special flight mentioned, Delta has shared a list of other scheduled flights that also offer you the opportunity to observe part of the eclipse:
- Delta Flight 5699 from Detroit (DTW) to White Plains (HPN) at 2:59 PM (E175)
- Delta Flight 924 from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas (DFW) at 8:40 AM (A320)
- Delta Flight 2869 from Los Angeles (LAX) to San Antonio (SAT) at 9 AM (A319)
- Delta Flight 1001 from Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Antonio (SAT) at 10:08 AM (A220)
- Delta Flight 1683 from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Austin (AUS) at 9:55 AM (A320)
You can still find tickets for a minimum of US$180 (C$243) one-way in economy class, depending on the flight you choose. Hurry, they’re selling out quickly!
How to book a flight for the solar eclipse
To book these flights, first check the price on the Skyscanner aggregator, as you should always do.
If the airline’s website is not listed in the results, go directly to the airline’s website to compare prices. Enter the following information in the search bar: cities (departure and arrival) and date. Then select the right flight at the times indicated above.
Otherwise, you always have the option of observing the eclipse from the ground if you live in the path or if you go somewhere on the path for a long weekend (it falls on a Monday).
Why is there a Delta flight for the solar eclipse?
This spring, you can witness a rare celestial event when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, creating a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
It’s your last chance to witness this phenomenon in the U.S. for the next 20 years! In Canada, it’s even rarer, as the next one will occur in 2106.
Astronomy enthusiasts are rushing to make travel plans to capture every moment of this extraordinary event.
Indeed, eclipse chasers maintain that the experience is even more exceptional from the air, aboard an airplane, particularly due to the altitude providing a clear sky.
Delta Air Lines is taking advantage of the growing trend toward astrotourism by offering this special flight that will follow the path of the eclipse.
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Featured image: Solar eclipse (photo credit: Jongsun Lee)
