The flight from Austin to Detroit, organized by Delta Airlines, is perfectly timed to coincide with the total solar eclipse expected to occur on April 8.
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon positions itself between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking sunlight from reaching the Earth.
The upcoming eclipse on April 8 will not be visible in Europe and Asia; it can be observed from North America, stretching from Sinaloa (Mexico) to Labrador (Canada).
This phenomenon lasts only 1 hour and 35 minutes, providing a unique experience for over 40 million people under favorable weather conditions. Additionally, passengers on a Delta Airlines flight will enjoy an unprecedented view of this event.
The U.S. will witness a total solar eclipse this April. (Illustrative image: Science post).
Special Flight
Delta Airlines has planned a special flight to provide an exceptional experience for eclipse enthusiasts by organizing special flight number Delta 1218.
This flight will traverse the path of the total solar eclipse, coinciding with its peak.
The aircraft will depart from Austin, Texas, and arrive in Detroit, Michigan. The airline has carefully planned for the aircraft to pass through the eclipse’s path to offer passengers an exclusive view of this celestial spectacle.
According to the schedule, on April 8, the flight will take off at 1:15 PM and land at 4:20 PM (local time), while the eclipse will begin in Detroit at 1:58 PM and reach its maximum at approximately 3:14 PM (local time).
To ensure an optimal experience for passengers, the airline will use an Airbus A220-300, equipped with particularly large windows. For nearly 4 minutes, the sky will go completely dark as the Moon passes in front of the Sun.
Of course, tickets for this exclusive flight sold out quickly, reflecting the excitement surrounding this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Other Delta flights scheduled for the same day may also offer opportunities to observe the eclipse from the air. However, the viewing conditions will not be as good as those on Delta 1218.
It is noteworthy that the April eclipse will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the United States until 2044. In France, the next observable eclipse will occur on September 3, 2081.
