Want to watch April’s solar eclipse in its shadow? Here are some flight options from Boise
If you missed October’s solar eclipse that blocked 85% of the sun in Boise — or simply want the chance to view another eclipse — you’re in luck.
Another solar eclipse will darken the skies above the United States in April, but unfortunately, this one won’t pass as close to Boise.
The 2024 total solar eclipse will pass through the eastern half of the United States on April 8, “entering” the country in Maine and making a southwest path across Appalachia, into the south, and then into Mexico.
Boise will still experience some of the eclipse, but the sun will only be about 35% eclipsed in the City of Trees. So, if you want to see the eclipse in its full glory, you’ll have to get a little bit closer.
For celestial enthusiasts, seeing April’s eclipse may hold even more significance — this will be the last solar eclipse of any kind that can be seen from U.S. soil until a partial solar eclipse in March 2025 and then a total solar eclipse in March 2033 that will only be seen in Russia and Alaska.
Fortunately, it’s not too difficult nowadays to hop on a plane and leave town for a few days.
Flights from Boise to see the eclipse
Here are the cheapest roundtrip flights, as of Feb. 27, from Boise to cities close to the eclipse with a maximum of one stop and reasonable layover times. Flights will be dated for the weekend of April 6-7, with the eclipse occurring on Monday, April 8.
Be wary of weather conditions when booking flights. Forecasted weather can change over time, and although the eclipse can be viewed through cloud cover with special glasses, nothing beats seeing the eclipse on a cloudless day.
Some airport locations may not be directly in the path of totality and will require additional travel to see the eclipse at 100%.
Syracuse, New York - $788 with United Airlines with a stop in Denver. Syracuse is within the path of totality.
Buffalo, New York - $1,302 with Delta Air Lines with a stop in Atlanta. Buffalo is within the path of totality.
Detroit, Michigan - $249 with Spirit Airlines with a stop in Las Vegas. Detroit is about an hour’s drive north of the path of totality.
Cleveland, Ohio - $351 with Spirit Airlines with a stop in Las Vegas. Cleveland is within the path of totality.
Columbus, Ohio - $321 with Spirit Airlines with a stop in Las Vegas. Columbus is marginally south of the path of totality.
Cincinnati, Ohio - $633 with American Airlines with a stop in Phoenix. Cincinnati is marginally south of the path of totality.
Louisville, Kentucky - $898 with United Airlines with a stop in Denver. Louisville is about an hour’s drive south of the path of totality.
St. Louis, Missouri - $384 with United Airlines with a stop in Denver. St. Louis is about an hour’s drive west of the path of totality.
Dallas, Texas - $407 with Spirit Airlines with a stop in Las Vegas. Dallas is in the path of totality.
Monterrey, Mexico - $953 with American Airlines with a stop in Phoenix. Monterrey is about two hours south of the path of totality.
Want to fly during the eclipse?
While viewing the eclipse from the ground is still magnificent, Southwest Airlines has several scheduled flights that will pass through the path of totality during the eclipse.
Unfortunately, none of those flights are directly to or from Boise. But if you want to take your eclipse viewing to new heights, here are the flights scheduled to be in the air during the eclipse.
All times are Central Daylight Time, the time local to the city from which the plane is taking off:
Southwest Flight #1252: departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:45 p.m. for Pittsburgh
Southwest Flight #1721: departs Austin at 12:50 p.m. for Indianapolis
Southwest Flight #1910: departs St. Louis at 1:20 p.m. for Houston (Hobby)
The following flights may also cross the path of totality during their scheduled operating time, but the chances are less certain than the flights above:
Southwest Flight #955 departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:50 p.m. for Chicago (Midway)
Southwest Flight #506: departs Milwaukee at 1:05 p.m. for Dallas (Love Field)
Southwest Flight #1734: departs Houston (Hobby) at 1:35 p.m. for Indianapolis
Southwest Flight #1682: departs Chicago (Midway) at 1:30 p.m. for Austin
Southwest flight #3108: departs Nashville at 1:40 p.m. for Dallas (Love Field)
