DETROIT MI, (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Delta Air Lines is offering a unique opportunity for sky-gazers and umbraphiles this April. The airline has announced a special flight from Austin to Detroit on April 8, 2024, specifically designed to provide passengers with the best possible view of the total solar eclipse.

According to Delta News Hub, the flight, Delta 1218, will be operated on an A220-300, an aircraft known for its extra-large windows, offering premium viewing opportunities. The flight is scheduled to depart from Austin at 12:15 p.m. CT and land in Detroit at 4:20 p.m. ET, timing that has been carefully planned to coincide with the peak of the solar eclipse.

Eric Beck, Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning at Delta, said, “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, thanks to teams across the company, the idea of viewing a total eclipse from the air will become a reality for our customers.”

Even those not on this special flight will have prime eclipse-viewing opportunities. Delta travelers on five additional routes on April 8 are advised not to forget their protective viewing glasses:

  • 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

For those who prefer to watch the solar event from the ground, Delta flies to many destinations within the path of totality, including Austin (AUS), San Antonio (SAT), and Little Rock, Ark. (LIT).

“The April 8 eclipse is the last total eclipse we’ll see over North America until 2044,” said Warren Weston, Delta Air Lines Lead Meteorologist. “This eclipse will last more than twice as long as the one that occurred in 2017, and the path is nearly twice as wide.”

For booking information, visit the Delta Air Lines website.

This article is for informational purposes only. Please remember to use proper eye protection when viewing a solar eclipse.