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View the Total Solar Eclipse From 40,000 Feet

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events

Been there, done that? How about total umbral immersion 40,000 feet in the air?

For thrill seekers, that's the pitch from Rick Brown, a self-described "eclipse-chaser" who has chartered an Airbus jet that will fly into the path of a total eclipse of the sun set to occur on July 11. (And you thought that was just a Carly Simon lyric).

Total eclipses typically occur only once every year or two. And viewing them can be a challenge: they are often only visible from remote parts of the Earth, and even if you make the trek, clouds or weather can obscure the view. On July 11, for example, the moon's shadow, or umbra, will sweep across the South Pacific in a narrow band, only making landfall on Easter Island and a few atolls in French Polynesia. The "totality," as the period when the sun is completely blocked by the moon is called, will last just four minutes on the ground.

Enter Rick Brown and his EFLIGHT 2010. The forty or so eclipse-chasing passengers high above the clouds will watch as the moon's shadow approach them from over 200 miles away before basking in the darkness of the lunar shadow and gazing at the sun's pearly white corona for nearly 10 full minutes - which Brown says will be a record viewing time.

Tags: adventure travel, Airbus, astronomy, Easter Island, Eclipse Chasers, jet charter, polynesia, private jet, solar eclipse, tahiti

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Delta Expands Private Jet Fleet With New Acquisition

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

After a year of private jet bad news signs of life are starting to emerge and now Delta Air Lines' private jet subsidiary, Delta AirElite will be massively expanding its fleet of small craft with the acquisition of Segrave Aviation. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Delta's all-cash purchase of Segrave will add 21 aircraft to AirElite's fleet of 24 planes. The expansion will also improve Web-based booking and the travel experience for fleet membership card and charter customers. Delta didn't reveal the exact terms of the deal. Segrave operates a fleet of managed aircraft and specializes in wholesale charter aviation services, private aircraft management, aircraft maintenance and fixed base operations.

Because Delta offers both commercial and private jet service it offers flexibility for travelers. Delta AirElite passengers can also earn SkyMiles (Delta's reward program) and immediate Medallion qualification up to Diamond status. The fleet includes aircraft such as Hawker Beechcraft, Lear 60 and Challenger 604 jets. With recent security concerns, longer lines, more ancillary charges and airport delays, the private jet option is becoming more appealing once again. Last month my colleague Tom Johansmeyer stated that private jet travel is back and gave four solid reasons why.

Tags: delta air elite, delta airelite, Delta Airlines, DeltaAirElite, DeltaAirlines, jet charter, JetCharter, private jets, PrivateJets, segrave

Evojets, A New Way To Get To Aspen

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

A new private jet brokerage based in Aspen hopes to make flying in and out of the resort town and other places a little easier. Evojets act as an agent, representing its client's interests by marketing their flight requests to over 2,500 operators who then compete to win their business. Right now the service is invitation or referral only and is works primarily with Aspen's wealthy population.

In an article in the Aspen Daily News, Evojets' director of operations Christopher Kelly says that he knows this idea wouldn't work in every market but in Aspen where people use private jets all the time, the chance to save as much as 50% on a flight is welcome. Like other jet brokerage we've seen, Evojets helps fill seats on the empty plane legs when a plane is returning to its home airport or flying in to pick up passengers. Because the plane might have flown without passengers anyway, the rates can also be cheaper. Evojets gets paid a percentage of the difference between the market price for the flight and what their clients end up paying.

Evojets plans to focus on more than just Apsen, their other main hubs are New York, south Florida, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Source

Tags: evojets, jet brokerage, jet charter, private jet