Iberia Flight To Offer Rare View Of 2026 Solar Eclipse

Travellers and astronomy enthusiasts will soon have a chance to witness one of nature’s most spectacular events from an extraordinary vantage point. Spanish airline Iberia has announced a special charter flight for the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, offering passengers a chance to see the celestial phenomenon from 30,000 feet.

Also, check out our story on the celestial events that are worth travelling for in 2026.

Iberia to livestream the eclipse from a flight: Key details

Iberia to charter a special plane for the total solar eclipse https://t.co/UxjaryFVZg

— Euronews Travel (@euronewstravel) August 4, 2026

The solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula since 1912.

• Iberia has designated the service as flight IB1473 in honour of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus’ birth year, 1473.
• An Airbus A321XLR will operate the charter, departing from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport at 6:45 pm.
• The flight path has been specially designed to pass over Palencia province, where passengers are expected to get the best possible view of the total solar eclipse.
• The aircraft will be commanded by Captain Javier Lopera Alcalá, alongside First Officer Javier Meana Fernández, who also has expertise in astrophysics.

The airline will livestream the event through its social media channels, allowing viewers around the world to experience the eclipse. Scientists from the Shelios project will board the flight to observe the eclipse. The high-altitude view will help them study the Sun’s corona without interference from clouds or other atmospheric conditions.

Those who cannot travel to see the eclipse in person can watch it through Iberia’s live broadcast on social media. The livestream will allow people around the world to experience the rare event, including the moment the sky darkens and the Sun’s corona becomes visible.

• Click here to browse Iberia’s Instagram account
• Click here for Iberia’s X account
• Click here to see Iberia’s Facebook account

(Feature image credit: Miguel Angel Sanz/Unsplash)

Related | 10 Best Places To Go Stargazing Around The World

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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