Spanish carrier Iberia will operate a special charter flight, designated IB1473, on August 12, 2026, to observe a total solar eclipse over Spain. The flight is scheduled to depart Madrid-Barajas International Airport at 18:45 local time, utilizing a new Airbus A321XLR aircraft to fly a specialized route over Palencia province.
The flight will carry researchers from the Shelios program at an altitude of 10,000 meters to ensure an unobstructed view above the clouds. Iberia plans to broadcast the eclipse live on social media using the aircraft's onboard Starlink satellite internet connectivity, provided by SpaceX.
