Delta Features a Flight to Chase the Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse

Here’s a unique opportunity for AvGeeks to experience the April 8 total solar eclipse.

Delta is marketing one of its April 8 flights as a solar eclipse viewing opportunity.

Delta flight 1218 is scheduled to depart Austin, TX, (AUS) at 12:15 PM Central Daylight Time and arrive in Detroit (DTW) at 4:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time. The trip’s usual flight plan more or less travels the same route as the eclipse’s path.

DL1218 normally departs AUS around 12:15 PM each day, anyway. But Delta is adding a little touch specifically for folks hoping to enjoy the eclipse. The flight is usually operated on an Airbus A319. But the April 8 flight will be performed on an Airbus A220 — because that aircraft has larger windows and gives passengers better viewing opportunities.

I’m curious how long the outside viewing will be affected by the eclipse. (And here’s hoping the plane takes off on time!)

Remember to get your protective solar eclipse glasses, too!

Don’t despair if you can’t make it onto DL 1281 that day.

“Even if you aren’t on this special flight, Delta travelers will also have prime eclipse-viewing opportunities on five additional routes on April 8,” Delta said in a statement. Those flights are:

• DL 5699, Detroit to Westchester (HPN), 2:59 pm EST departure on an ERJ-175
• DL 924, Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), 8:40 am PST departure on an A320
• DL 2869, Los Angeles (LAX) to San Antonio (SAT), 9:00 am PST departure on an A319
• DL 1001, Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Antonio (SAT), 10:08 am MST departure on an A220-300
• DL 1683, Salt Lake City (SLC) to Austin (AUS), 9:55 am MST departure on an A320

Will you try to make any of these flights? What are your eclipse plans?