Airlines Launch Special Flights for August 13 Solar Eclipse

Airlines and private aviation firms are operating specialized flights to transport passengers and researchers for a total solar eclipse occurring on August 13, 2026. The total eclipse will be visible from the Arctic, Iceland, Greenland, northern Spain, and parts of Siberia and Portugal, with totality lasting up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. A partial eclipse will be visible in parts of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States.

Brussels Airlines is transporting 100 passengers over France to view the partial eclipse, while the ASL Group is operating a private jet from Liège, Belgium. Both flights were organized in partnership with the Urania Public Observatory. In the United Kingdom, Air Charter Service is charging up to $1,200 for flights from London to viewing sites in Iceland or Spain.

Scientific efforts are also underway, with Iberia operating a non-public charter from Madrid. This flight carries researchers from the Shelios project, led by astronomer Miquel Serra-Ricart, to observe the solar corona over Northern Spain.