An AvGeek approach to eclipse viewing: From the sky!

Seth MIller
Jul 21, 2017 · 2 min read

I’ll be on the ground in southern California during the upcoming solar eclipse and almost certainly will not have a view of the event at all. In Oregon expectations are for total gridlock and pandemonium as way too many people descend on the area in hopes of clear skies. And I’m probably not going to win a seat on the charter Alaska Airlines is running.

So none of those are good opportunities for watching. But if you’re an AvGeek and also want a chance to watch the celestial performance there are some flight options that might suit your needs. Here’s a handful of flights the Ops team at Southwest Airlines put together for the best chance of catching a view based on geography, timing and typical flight plans:

Given those times/paths there are a few others I can think of that might be useful:

  • Alaska Airlines AS 3382 PDX-MCI (9:15a-2:15p)
  • Alaska Airlines AS 3442 PDX-AUS (9:40a-3:38p)
  • Alaska Airlines AS 2181 SEA-BOI (8:24a-10:59a)
  • American Airlines AA 1623 SEA-DFW (9:25a-3:25p)
  • United UA 1127 DEN-MCI (10:01a-12:45p)
  • United UA 573 DEN-MSP (9:46a-12:43p)
  • United UA 336 DEN-ORD (10:20a-1:46p)
  • United UA 410 DEN-ATL (9:54a-2:56p)
  • United UA 2385 DEN-ORD (9:25a-12:53p)
  • Delta DL 1816 DEN-ATL (10:20a-3:27p)
  • United UA 4684 DEN-STL (9:48a-1:00p)
  • United UA 3727 DEN-BNA (9:50a-1:26p)

I have no idea if they’ll really work, but seems like a decent chance on some of them. And United has a full hub at DEN so probably a few I missed there, too.

Also, don’t stare at the sun.

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I travel. A lot. Mostly for fun. No trip is too short, too far or too crazy. Stories about loyalty, aviation, in-flight connectivity and more.

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