Alaska Airlines Is Delaying a Flight

On March 9, 2016 there will be a total solar eclipse. The eclipse will begin in the south of the Indian Ocean on Sumatra, going then the center of the island of Sulawesi to continue over the small islands of Indonesia. Then it will be just over the Pacific Ocean.

For this astronomical phenomenon, Alaska Airlines has agreed to modify the plan of 870 flight that will fly with a delay of 25 minutes from Anchorage to Honolulu.

Joe Rao is an astronomer to tracking solar eclipses. After some calculations he noted that Alaska Airlines flight no 870 is best to watch this phenomenon. He will be one of the twelve astronomers on board of the Boeing no 737-800 of Alaska Airlines and along with 163 others passengers, will be able to watch the total solar eclipse from 11,200 meters altitude.

According to calculations that were made by specialists​​, the aircraft will fly with 850km/h at an altitude of 11,200 meters and will intercept the eclipse at 1,100 kilometers north of Honolulu. For those on the aircraft , from at 17:35, the sun will be fully covered for 1 minute and 53 seconds. It will be a unique experience for passengers  of Alaska Airlines Flight.