I missed the solar eclipse this week…I was on the other side of the world…but hopefully when the next one rolls around in 2044 (I’ll be a very old man by then…) I will be in the right place at the right time. This time, I must live vicariously through social media, but was quite impressed by the solar eclipse flights on Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to commemorate this rare event.
Solar Eclipse Flights – How Delta And United Treated Passengers To A Priceless Memory
There were several flights on Monday that directly fell into the path of totality for the solar eclipse and airlines including Delta and United marked this occasion through glasses and other swag on special flights.
My friend Zach Griff flew on Delta from Dallas (DFW) to Detroit (DTW), a charter flight simply to maximize exposure to the solar eclipse. He produced the video below, which succinctly captures what occurred onboard…and how Delta really provided all sorts of cool momentos to mark the event:
Meanwhile, United Airlines also marked the occasion with a number of regularly scheduled flights that fell within the path of the eclipse:
- UA5693 – Chicago – Little Rock – 12:45 p.m. CDT
- UA490 – Chicago – Houston – 12:47 p.m. CDT
- UA455 – Chicago – Dallas – 12:49 p.m. CDT
- UA247 – Chicago – Toronto – 1 p.m. CDT
- UA2440 – Chicago – New York – 1 p.m. CDT
- UA2187 – Chicago – Washington, D.C., – 1:20 p.m. CDT
- UA1438 – Houston – San Jose del Cabo – 11:55 a.m. CDT
- UA6128 – Houston – Columbus – 12:00 p.m. CDT
- UA6109 – Houston – Detroit – 12:05 p.m. CDT
- UA1318 – Houston – Cincinnati – 12:23 p.m. CDT
- UA1687 – Houston – Indianapolis – 12:25 p.m. CDT
Here’s a video United shared on social media:
All this makes me want to fly to a different part of the world on 12 August 2026, the next total solar eclipse, which will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and parts of Portugal and Russia.
Did you catch the solar eclipse this year? How was it?
image: United
I went to MO. That ish was great, so surreal.
Already thinking about Spain in 2026 (Iceland may be too cloudy)
I really don’t understand the fascination with an eclipse. I’ve seen it before, it is cool but I would not go out of my way to see it. There was an article about Airbnb rentals going crazy on the path of the eclipse. Here we had cloudy skies and rain so I didn’t see anything.
Was the weather condition because of the perpetual rain cloud following over your head? Lol
Just kidding, eclipses are awesome and worth visiting. Was glad many families are taking their kids to see it, hopefully getting them interested in science
I am fortunate enough to not have a cloud on top of my head. Like people say here in MN “why we can never had the nice things?” I actually had no idea about an eclipse until Sunday when my kids told me not to look at it otherwise I would be blind. LOL I had no idea about an eclipse at all. My kids were very frustrated since their school provided glasses and all the things but they saw absolutely nothing. Next day was a beautiful sunny and blue sky here. Whatever. I don’t disagree with you that they are wort visiting but I would not spend money on flights and Airbnb just for that.
I had an Eclipse in college. Does that count?
Why does it trigger you so much? It’s not my thing and I’m not going to travel just to see it, but if there are people into it and have the funds and time to make it happen, let them enjoy it.
I’ve seen a few partial eclipses, and now a total eclipse. A night and day difference (literally and figuratively). It is spectacular, especially if one has interest in astronomy.
One can always plan for the Aug 2026 total eclipse in Spain.
Having seen the total in 2017, the ring of fire in 2023, and being aboard the AUS-DTW flight, I have to say that on the ground is still the best way to see it.
I was really hoping to be able to see the moon’s shadow over the earth, but it wasn’t very distinct. The sun was nearly directly overhead so it was quite difficult to see it without positioning your head at the bottom of the window and looking up (or using a makeup mirror to reflect it up as some did). With the banking of the plane only one side got to see totality, so even in a window seat, you only see the sun for half the time.
By far the best part was the onboard experience. Such a fun vibe. A few folks on board didn’t even know this was a special flight until they arrived at the airport (presumably they booked before Delta started marketing it as an eclipse flight or were on a Government ticket).
Lastly, Zach was on the AUS flight, not the DFW one. I was really hoping you’d surprise us and I’d see you on board!
I saw it from my paddle board on the middle of Lady Bird Lake in Downtown Austin. It was awesome. Seconds after we went in to totality the clouds cleared and we had a great view of the sun fully eclipsed. Cheers echoed out from parks and other buildings downtown. I’ll never forget looking at my partner in the middle of it all and seeing them under this bizarre light. Fireworks started to go off and suddenly it was daylight again.
I think it’s an experience that everyone should see once in their life. Science does a lot of amazing things, but this is the only time I’ve ever felt like I was actually a part of something bigger than just Earth.
There is also a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2028, that could be of interest to travelers. For this one the path of totality passes directly over Sydney and also Queenstown, New Zealand. Don’t even dream about scoring saver business awards to see this one.
A friend and I flew on UA ORD-DFW-ORD to see the eclipse from the top of the airport parking garage. It was a nice day, and we enjoyed the eclipse, but it felt like a one-night stand. Notable expense and logistics for 2 minutes of ecstasy. Quite the spot of bother getting back with severe storm delays. We will pass next time….. Once is enough.
I was in Vermont for the eclipse. During the totality a commercial flight passed over towards Burlington – this seems like a wonderful way to experience the eclipse!