There’s just over a month left until one of the most memorable moments of the year.
On April 8, millions of Americans will experience one total solar eclipse when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, darkening the evening sky. It’s a phenomenon that won’t happen again in North America for the next 20 years.
To witness the spectacle, travelers are planning spring break trips to Texas, the Midwest and parts of the East Coast to experience the eclipse at its most dramatic. This is driving up hotel prices and helping the event earn a spot on TPG’s list. Tourism trends report in 2024.
But the excitement doesn’t just come from the spectators on the field.
In recent weeks, one major airline has announced special flights planned specifically to give passengers a close-up view of the eclipse from above. In addition, other airlines have introduced passengers to flights capable of providing panoramic views of natural phenomena.
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Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines probably enjoyed the excitement surrounding the eclipse more than any other US airline.
The Atlanta-based airline has added two more scheduled flights to give passengers maximum time on its April 8 schedule.
The flights attract so much interest that you could be out of luck if you don’t act quickly.
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Delta’s first eclipse flight announced on February 19 sold out in less than 24 hours.
The sold-out flight took off at 12:15 p.m. CDT April 8 from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), with a final destination of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).
Travelers quickly snapped up seats, the airline said, helping Delta track a 1,500% spike in search interest for flights from Austin to Detroit on April 8.
As a result, Delta came back a week later with Second flight to Detroit, also means maximizing the passenger’s time in the overall route. DL1010 will depart Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on the larger Airbus A321neo at 12:30 p.m. CDT April 8.
As of this writing, the seats aren’t sold out yet, but you’ll definitely have to pay.
Main cabin tickets cost $949 one-way.
Or, if you want to touch Delta SkyMilesYou can book a 90,000 mile one-way trip.
As you can see, it looks like Delta sold out of first class and Comfort+ seats on the flight.
Other Delta options
Delta has also noted four flights on April 8 that could give passengers a view of the eclipse.
These include:
- DL5699: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to New York’s Westchester County Airport (HPN) – departing at 2:59 p.m. EDT on an Embraer 175
- DL942: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to DTW — departing at 8:40 a.m. PDT on an Airbus A320
- DL2869: LAX to San Antonio International Airport (SAT) — departing at 9 a.m. PDT on an Airbus A220-300
- DL1683: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — departing at 9:55 a.m. MDT on an Airbus A320
United Airlines
United Airlines also revealed a list of flights it said would “likely” be in the path of the eclipse. Those routes for April 8 include a half-dozen flights from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and another five flights from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Those flights include:
- UA5693: O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock, Arkansas — departing at 12:45 p.m. CDT
- UA0490: ORD to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) — departing at 12:47 p.m. CDT
- UA0455: ORD to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — departing at 12:49 p.m. CDT
- UA0247: ORD to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — departing at 1 p.m. CDT
- UA2187: ORD to Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) — departing at 1:20 p.m. CDT
- UA1438: IAH to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) — departing at 11:55 a.m. CDT
- UA6128: IAH arrives at John Glenn International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio — departing at noon CDT
- UA6109: IAH to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) — departing at 12:05 p.m. CDT
- UA1318: IAH to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) — departing at 12:23 p.m. CDT
- UA1687: IAH to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) — departing at 12:25 p.m. CDT
Customers on some of these flights will receive special United-themed eclipse glasses for safe viewing, the airline told TPG.
“United is seeing extremely strong demand for top viewing destinations like Cleveland, Little Rock and San Antonio in the days before and after the eclipse,” the airline said in a statement.
Most notable was a 127% increase in domestic bookings to San Antonio between April 4 and 7, the carrier said. Travel bookings from San Antonio on April 9 and 10 increased 288%.
Good eclipse flight deals available
We found some reasonable deals on some of these flights that, again, could give passengers a view of the eclipse, according to United.
Prices currently start at $105 for a United flight from Chicago to Little Rock on April 8. However, that’s a basic economy fare, which doesn’t include free seat selection. You may want to pay $140 for a full-fare economy ticket to get a window seat.
Flights from Chicago to Houston start at $165 one-way.
You’ll pay more for routes that may have higher demand. For the 12:05pm flight from Houston to Detroit, you’ll pay $595 for a main cabin ticket on the Embraer 175 jet. It arrives in Detroit just before 4pm EDT.
Or you can book a plane ticket for 40,000 United MileagePlus mile.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is showing passengers some flights to see the solar eclipse.
The first list includes flights that, according to network and airline schedule planners, “have the greatest potential to give customers the best view” of the eclipse.
Those three flights include:
- WN1252: Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) — departing at 12:40 p.m. CDT
- WN1721: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) — departing at 12:50 p.m. CDT
- WN1910: St. Louis Lambert (STL) to Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) — departing at 1:20 p.m. CDT
These flights will cost you.
Flights from Dallas to Pittsburgh start at $660 for Business Select fares.
Slightly cheaper, the route from Austin to Indianapolis currently costs $552 one-way.
Or, your least expensive option of the three: the St. Louis-to-Houston starts at $224 for Wanna Get Away fares or you can also book them for $16,711 The reward is quick to the southwest point.
Additional Southwest options
Southwest has also identified several other flights that “could also cross the path of the total solar eclipse.”
- WN955: Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) — departing at 12:50 p.m. CDT
- WN506: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to DAL — departing at 1:05 p.m. CDT
- WN1734: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) — departing at 1:35 p.m. CDT
- WN1682: MDW to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — departing at 1:30 p.m. CDT
- WN3108: Nashville International Airport (BNA) to DAL — departing at 1:40 p.m. CDT
What to know if you book an eclipse flight
If you even think you might want to book a flight to see the solar eclipse on April 8, you should act quickly.
Between the situation of quickly selling out tickets and the possibility that ticket prices may increase in the coming weeks, you’ll want to lock in your fare now.
If you book a ticket on Southwest or a main cabin ticket on Delta or United (not basic economy), you can usually cancel and at least get the value back in the form of a trip credit.
Is the eclipse flight worth it?
These eclipse flights certainly don’t come cheap, but there are some clear benefits to experiencing the eclipse from cruising altitude.
Fly above the clouds
For starters, there’s the weather. After all, there are those all-too-common “April showers” and the clouds that accompany those showers, which can mean that visibility from the ground is somewhat hindered if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
At 30,000 feet, you’re almost guaranteed clear visibility.
A panoramic view
Austin Chaney, chief meteorologist at CBS affiliate WHIO-TV in Dayton, Ohio, said experiencing the phenomenon on a plane also provides an unforgettable view.
“When you’re 30,000 feet in the air, the horizon is almost 200 miles away. That’s about three miles farther than you can ‘see’ standing on the ground,” Chaney told TPG.
That can make for a rare perspective when flying over – or even near – the path of the whole.
“Because the horizon is so far away… you can also see light at the edge of the darkness when you are in totality,” Chaney said. “Passengers on these planes can easily see light coming from places where there is no light.” Not in the dark which I imagine would be a breathtaking sight to behold.”
Bottom line
Of course, factors such as air traffic control, weather delays and maintenance disruptions can also affect April 8 – just like any other day.
But if all goes according to plan, it will be a memorable experience on the ground and in the air.
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