HOUSTON — There were multiple eyes -- literally -- in the skies as Southwest Airlines passengers traveled through the path of totality. They were able to see the eclipse above the clouds for about two minutes.
Passengers on a flight from St. Louis to Houston said most chose the flight just to see the eclipse.
Passengers on Flight 1910 got quite the welcome at Southwest Gate 41 at Hobby Airport. Rajiv Ajodha lives in Houston but flew to St. Louis just to come right back home.
"I saw Houston was really cloudy today, so I’m happy I made the choice ... to see it in the air," Ajodha said.
The next chance to see an eclipse in the United States is 20 years from now, so the trip didn’t disappoint.
"It was phenomenal. It was some of the best. It was one of the best choices I’ve made to see it in the sky. Seeing the horizon go from light to dark was great," Ajodha said.
Brandon Fredman had the same idea, but for him, St. Louis is home. He saw the eclipse in 2017 and figured he'd try a new vantage point.
"It was really, really cool just to see. It’s not something you see every day and it was a great view of the land ... kind of see what was above and below," Fredman said.
About 150 passengers and six flight crew members witnessed about two minutes of the total solar eclipse. Most people on board knew the flight plan and planned ahead. One passenger wore a star-covered dress.
"I’m always a star, but yes, in the sky is better," Sarah James said.
Another passenger wore a NASA shirt.
"It’s April and there’s clouds and rain and all that and I was like you know what the only way to see it is to get above the clouds and I’ve never seen it before. I saw it for the first time. It was pretty awesome," Colin Thiele said.
They said the pilots banked left and right, helping improve visibility for those not in prime seats. Flight crews provided gift bags and pins that read, "I Got Mooned."