If you think that annular solar eclipse that happened Saturday was something, just wait until April 8, 2024—when an absolutely total solar eclipse will darken Dallas-Fort Worth and a ribbon-like path slashing across the U.S. And while you’re waiting, Southwest Airlines is giving you a chance to do some booking.
Dallas-based Southwest has announced flights scheduled to operate in the direct and partial paths of next April’s big event. The “path of totality” for the 2024 eclipse will pass across several U.S. states where Southwest operates, including Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, and Ohio, among others.
David Dillahunt, chief meteorologist at Southwest Airlines, called Saturday’s annular solar eclipse “an exciting sneak-peak of the total solar eclipse occurring next year.”
Image: Southwest Airlines
“Our meteorology and network planning teams identified the best opportunities for a potential view of this breathtaking sight,” Dillahunt said in a statement about the 2024 solar eclipse,. “With our flight schedule, we’re able to offer hundreds of seats in the sky to view the eclipse, and we look forward to showcasing our hospitality on this day while celebrating with our customers.”
The airline’s network and schedule planners modeled the operational day against projections of the umbra and penumbra—shadows cast by the moon’s eclipse of the sun. On April 8, 2024, the scheduled Southwest flights listed below have the greatest likelihood of offering passengers onboard “the best view of this moment,” Southwest said:
- Southwest Flight #1252: departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:45 p.m. CDT for Pittsburgh
- Southwest Flight #1721: departs Austin at 12:50 p.m. CDT for Indianapolis
- Southwest Flight #1910: departs St. Louis at 1:20 p.m. CDT for Houston (Hobby)
The following flights may also cross the path of totality during their scheduled operating time, Southwest noted:
- Southwest Flight #955 departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:50 p.m. CDT for Chicago (Midway)
- Southwest Flight #506: departs Milwaukee at 1:05 p.m. CDT for Dallas (Love Field)
- Southwest Flight #1734: departs Houston (Hobby) at 1:35 p.m. CDT for Indianapolis
- Southwest Flight #1682: departs Chicago (Midway) at 1:30 p.m. CDT for Austin
- Southwest flight #3108: departs Nashville at 1:40 p.m. CDT for Dallas (Love Field)
The airline cautioned that “looking directly at the sun is never recommended, but one can safely observe an eclipse with specialty-rated solar filters.”
To book an open seat on one of the flights operating on April 8, 2024, customers can visit Southwest.com.
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