A special eclipse flight operated by Delta Air Lines deviated from the path of totality, causing passengers to miss a prime view of the moon completely obstructing the sun. Despite air traffic controllers not allowing the plane to make planned turns to accommodate both sides of the plane, the flight continued, slightly off-set from the path of totality due to severe congestion along the eclipse path.
Passengers onboard the flight, including a reporter who paid nearly $850 for a refundable ticket, craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the sun as the plane circled at 33,000 feet. Despite efforts, passengers were left disappointed with the view. While several people captured photos of the sun partially blocked by the moon, many struggled to get a clear shot due to the tricky angle of the sun, speed of the plane, and confines of the aircraft. The flight’s deviation from the path of totality was not discovered until a passenger compared the flight path to that of the eclipse using a flight-tracking site and NASA’s eclipse map.
Despite the disappointment, some passengers found the experience enjoyable and the airline threw parties before takeoff and after landing to keep spirits high. Passengers, including a private pilot, expressed mixed feelings about the flight, with some still willing to do it again despite the less-than-ideal viewing experience. Delta faced criticism and questions about the flight’s deviation from the path of totality, with passengers like Dimitrije Ratkov, who paid over $1,100 for a ticket, seeking explanations and corrections from the airline.
