2016 Alaska Airlines Eclipse Flight
Alaska Airlines Eclipse Flight 870
Indonesia was the favored location for the March 2016 Total Solar Eclipse. I could not take a couple weeks off from work because this was in the middle of tax season. However, veteran eclipse chaser Joe Rao convinced Alaska Airlines to alter the time of its regularly scheduled Flight 870 from Anchorage to Honolulu to intercept the eclipse. Ten eclipse chasers were aware, and I was able to get one of the last window seats on the right side of the plane so was able to see the 1m 57s of totality. YouTube video.
Ten eclipse chasers were able to book window seats on the right side of Alaska Airlines flight 870.
All three major networks showed up at Anchorage International Airport to interview the Captain at the gate.
ABC booked seats on the flight, but the film crew did not know what they were doing and were not accepting advice.
The Diamond Ring at 2nd Contact from Alaska Airlines Flight 870.
Totality as seen from Alaska Airlines flight 870 during the March 2016 Total Solar Eclipse.
The corona of the March 2016 Total Solar Eclipse.