DETROIT (WWJ) - If you're looking for a unique way to view this spring's total solar eclipse that is excepted to darken skies across North America, Delta Air Lines has the experience for you.
The Atlanta-based airline announced they will offer a special flight from Austin, Texas to Detroit on Monday, April 8th, following the total eclipse's path as it crosses the continental United States.
During a total solar eclipse, the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon as it passes between the Sun and Earth creating dusk or nighttime conditions in the middle of the day.
According to NASA, the eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean and hit Mexico before entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.
The special Delta flight 1218 is scheduled to take off from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 12:15 p.m. Central time and touchdown at Detroit Metropolitan Airport at 4:20 p.m. Eastern time. It will follow most of eclipse's path during its journey "to give those on board the best chance of safely viewing the solar eclipse at its peak," 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,” said Eric Beck, Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning. “Thanks to teams across the company, the idea of viewing a total eclipse from the air will become a reality for our customers.”
According to the airline, Delta flight 1218 will be specifically operated on an A220-300, which will offer especially premium viewing due to the aircraft’s extra-large windows. Basic Economy seats have already sold out, but tickets for Main Cabin, Comfort+ and First Class are available.
They cost $579, $699 and $1,430 respectively.
Delta travelers can still experience prime eclipse-viewing opportunities on five additional routes on April 8, including:
• DL 5699 - Detroit (DTW) to Westchester, New York (HPN), 2:59 pm EST departure, ERJ-175
• DL 924 - From Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas (DFW), 8:40 am PST departure, A320
• DL 2869 - From Los Angeles (LAX) to San Antonio (SAT), 9:00 am PST departure, A319
• DL 1001 - From Salt Lake City (SLC) to San Antonio (SAT), 10:08 am MST departure, A220-300
• DL 1683 - Salt Lake City (SLC) to Austin (AUS), 9:55 am MST departure, A320
“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 delta.com.