Somewhere over Arkansas, passengers aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Dallas to Detroit were eagerly anticipating a unique view of the total solar eclipse. Skywatchers across North America had gathered to witness this rare celestial event, hoping for a special vantage point above the clouds.
Despite the best efforts of the pilots to maneuver the plane for optimal viewing, many passengers found it challenging to catch a glimpse of totality during the flight. The angle of the sun in the sky made it difficult to see without straining their necks, leaving some disappointed.
Among the passengers was Kyle Carter, a 40-year-old stay-at-home dad and private pilot from Orlando, who expressed satisfaction with the experience despite not seeing much of the actual eclipse. He was particularly intrigued by the shadow of darkness sweeping towards them from behind, a phenomenon he was able to witness.
As the plane journeyed through moments of totality, the atmosphere inside the aircraft shifted. The lights dimmed, the sky darkened, and flight attendants provided updates on the eclipse’s progress along the path of totality, from Mexico to Texas and up through Indianapolis.
Passengers were treated to a bag of eclipse-themed goodies, including “solar eclipse” Sun Chips, a Moon Pie, eclipse glasses, and Delta-branded socks and a hat inscribed with “climbing the cosmos.” The festive mood onboard was punctuated by an unexpected engagement between a couple during totality, eliciting cheers and applause.
The airline had meticulously planned these eclipse-viewing flights for months, with flight superintendent Chris Clisham detailing the logistics involved in coordinating the journey. Passenger Jamie Larounis, a D.C.-based travel industry analyst, seized the opportunity to book a first-class seat for the flight, emphasizing his enthusiasm for aviation over eclipses.
Melanie Elliott, an astronomy enthusiast from Chapel Hill, N.C., expressed mixed feelings about her in-flight eclipse viewing experience, noting that she was eager to witness the event from the ground in the future. However, meeting astronaut Scott Kelly at a post-flight celebration added a memorable touch to her journey.
Photographer Jon Carmichael, who captured the 2017 eclipse from an airplane, shared insights into the unique perspectives offered by aerial eclipse viewing. While the ground experience is more immersive, being in the sky provides unobstructed views and a rare opportunity to witness the moon’s shadow moving across the Earth.
Overall, the Delta Air Lines eclipse flights offered passengers a one-of-a-kind adventure, blending celestial spectacle with aviation excitement. As passengers reflected on their airborne eclipse experience, the allure of witnessing nature’s grandeur from the skies left a lasting impression.