This year, all eyes are on April 8. That's when a rare total solar eclipse will pass over Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, giving people in the right place at the right time the opportunity to witness the moon completely block out the sun. If you want in on the action, you'll need to get yourself near the path of totality (where you can see the total solar eclipse). Here are the best flight deals to book today if you're ready to witness one of the most spectacular natural shows our universe offers.
These days, travel doesn't come cheap. But getting to witness a total solar eclipse is likely to be an unforgettable experience. The moon will completely block the sun over the path of totality, so if you're curious to catch a glimpse, you'll want to head as close to this path as possible. Destinations like Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo all make the short list of places that could see an epic show (weather permitting).
If you're mulling over the idea of traveling to catch the eclipse but haven't quite decided yet, consider this: the next time the lower 48 states will see a total solar eclipse is Aug. 23, 2044. Yes, they're that rare.
So pack your bags and your (absolutely necessary) solar eclipse glasses and take off to catch this incredible site thanks to these flight deals.
Best flight deal from the West Coast
Why we like it
If you live on the West Coast and hope to travel eastward toward the path of totality, Alaska Airlines' dream getaway sale could be your ticket to an affordable experience. But you'll have to hurry — the sale ends at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 22. Deals include itineraries like San Diego to Austin starting at $79 and Seattle to Dallas starting at $149. Check out the entire path of totality to make sure your destination will get maximum viewing time.
Best flight pass deal
Why we like it
Frontier's Go Wild! All You Can Fly monthly pass is a great option if you're heading to watch April's eclipse. You'll want to grab the monthly pass on March 9 or later to cover the April 8 eclipse date. The monthly pass costs just $50 with a $99 enrollment fee. If the stars align for your origin, destination, and dates, the Frontier pass could mean your roundtrip flights to the eclipse will be as low as $149.
Best flight deal for in-air views
Why we like it
Delta wins the gold star for eclipse viewing. The airline added a special eclipse flight to their April 8 schedule that takes off from Austin and travels to Detroit, following the path of totality. Unfortunately, that flight is sold out, but Delta has several other flights that are likely to give passengers an incredible view from the air. For just $179, book yourself onto DL 2869 with a 9 a.m. departure from Los Angeles to San Antonio, or hop aboard DL 924 at 8:40 a.m. from Los Angeles to Dallas for another opportunity. Since the weather in April can be iffy, booking yourself onto a flight that'll have no issues with cloud cover could be the best way to ensure you'll actually see this incredible event.
Best spring sale deal
Why we like it
Southwest's spring travel sale covers travel between March 5 and May 29, so April's eclipse date is well within the range of these deals. With flights starting at $49, Southwest's network of flights covers the entire U.S. so you'll be able to check the low-fare calendar to get yourself as close to the eclipse as possible. You'll need to hurry to make plans though because the spring travel sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on Feb. 22. Once you have flights booked, you can research expert viewing tips to better prepare.
