FAA warns of air travel disruptions in path of April 8 eclipse

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned of disruptions in air travel before, during and after the total solar eclipse on April 8. 

The unique total solar eclipse will bring a path of totality across 13 U.S. states when the moon “totally” blocks the sun, leaving the sun’s outermost layer — the corona — visible to the naked eye. 

The eclipse will cross North America in its path, going over Mexico, the United States and Canada. It is expected to impact the U.S. from about 2:30 p.m. EST to 3:40 p.m. EST, the FAA said in a statement.

Most of the country will view at least a portion of the eclipse, while cities like Dallas and Cleveland will see totality, WJET reported. WJET is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. 

The FAA warned pilots to prepare for operational changes and higher-than-normal traffic volume at airports along the eclipse’s path. These airports include Burlington International Airport, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, Fort Wayne Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

While there may be disruptions on the ground, Delta Airlines offered two flights for travelers to see the eclipse from the sky. The two flights will depart from Dallas-Fort Worth and arrive in Detroit at times to give travelers “the best change of safely viewing the solar eclipse.” 

Delta said viewing opportunities will be available on five additional routes on April 8 — listed on their website— and advised passengers aboard these flights to bring protective viewing glasses. 

“The April 8 eclipse is the last total eclipse we’ll see over North America until 2044,” Delta Air Lines lead meteorologist Warren Weston wrote in a statement. “This eclipse will last more than twice as long as the one that occurred in 2017, and the path is nearly twice as wide.”