A total solar eclipse is expected to be visible over the United States on April 8. Space fans across the US will eagerly await their opportunity to see this astronomical event.

Because of this, astronomy has been seeing significant trends upwards in recent months. Astronomy has picked up so much that several companies are now offering experiences based on seeing stars and other objects in space. Let’s take a closer look at some upcoming flight experiences that are focused on viewing stars, planets, comets, and more.

The unique Four Seasons experiences

One of the largest experiences that is focused on star gazing is run by Four Seasons Private Jets. Four Seasons utilizes private travel and unique experiences to entice customers to experiences across the world. These travelers find themselves in a world of luxury aboard the Four Seasons private jet, and they find themselves traveling to unique, luxurious experiences across the world.

The luxury hotel chain is already offering a series of experiences through 2024. The company offers an International Intrigue tour that includes stops in Seattle, Washington, Kyoto, Japan, and the Maldives, among others. Another experience that Four Seasons offers is called Timeless Encounters. This allows travelers to visit Bora Bora, Kona, Chiang Mai, Dubai, UAE, Prague, and London.

All of the Four Seasons experiences are flown aboard the Four Seasons Private Jet. The jet, which is an Airbus A321LR jet that is registered as G-XATW, has 48 lie-flat seats. These seats give each of the travelers approximately six and a half feet of personal space. The lie-flat seats also include an ottoman that faces each chair for visitors or extra seating. Also aboard the aircraft is a designated social area, a full-service bar, and an onboard doctor.

Astrotourism on the Four Seasons jet

However, Four Seasons also offers unique stargazing-focused experiences for guests as well. One of the space-focused trips is called Ancient Explorer. This trip, which begins on May 12 and lasts until June 4, takes passengers to ten different destinations across the world. The trip departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and shuttles passengers to Mexico City, Mexico. The experience kicks off in Mexico City with an early morning hot air balloon ride over the ancient civilization of Teotihuacan. The travelers will be able to see both the moon set and the sun rising above the city. After stopping at Easter Island, the passengers are then shuttled to Bora Bora. While on a private island, travelers can experience the dark skies above the ocean and look for various constellations and planets.

Other stops include:

• Bangkok, Thailand
• Amman, Jordan
• Egypt
• Athens, Greece
• Madrid, Spain.

The other Four Seasons experience focused on tourism is called Uncharted Discovery. This trip will last for 21 days and begins on November 30, later this year. The trip begins in New Orleans, Louisiana, but travels to Costa Rica shortly after. While in Costa Rica, travelers will stay at the Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo. One of the unique experiences here allows travelers to look through the resort’s famous hi-tech telescope to view anything in the sky. Also, while in Costa Rica, travelers have the option to drink Chilean Meteorito, a cabernet sauvignon wine that is aged with an actual meteorite, which builds off the space-themed stop. Other stops aboard this trip include:

• Machu Picchu, Peru
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Antarctica
• Bogotá, Colombia
• The Bahamas

Solar eclipse flights

As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest events in astronomy this year is the total solar eclipse on April 8. The total solar eclipse will pass through Texas and through Southern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Central Indiana, Ohio, and several states in the Northeast US. However, there are several other ways to see this event. One of the best ways to see this eclipse is above the clouds on an aircraft. This allows viewers to see the eclipse unobstructed from the weather.

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

One special experience is being offered by the premium air carrier JSX. On April 8, JSX is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will take passengers aboard one of its aircraft specifically to view the total solar eclipse. The flight, which is registered as XE-4824, will depart from the air carrier’s private hangar at Dallas-Love Field (DAL) at around 13:00 local time. The flight will circle the area for approximately two full hours before landing back at Love Field around 15:00 local time. JSX is currently giving away twelve total seats to interested travelers.

This flight also has several built-in experiences, including sun protection, eclipse viewing glasses, and solar eclipse-themed cocktails. Additionally, the flight will be piloted by the former NASA astronaut and current JSX pilot Bill Gregory. Gregory served as a pilot of one of NASA’s space shuttles, which was known as the Endeavour. As a NASA astronaut, Gregory completed a remarkable 262 total orbits of the Earth, which amounts to just under seven million total miles in space. Gregory was also a United States Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel prior to joining NASA as an astronaut.

Currently, Gregory serves as a pilot for JSX. He will also be conducting the flight on April 8 to see the total solar eclipse. His past experience and knowledge earned as an astronaut will allow him to be the appropriate guide for navigating a solar eclipse.

Several other commercial flights will operate during the total solar eclipse as well. For example, Delta Air Lines has a flight scheduled from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) that will allow passengers to view the total solar eclipse easily. This flight, which is registered as DL-1218, will be operated by an Airbus A220-300.