Story ID: 
Charter Broker Delivers Stellar Eclipse Viewing
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Air Charter Service organized the sun-gazing event
Word Count: 226
Fresh off its successful air charter trip to Spain to view Wednesday’s total eclipse, UK-based private lift specialist Air Charter Service (ACS) is already planning for next year’s celestial occurrence.
For this most recent event, the company arranged for nearly 100 people to travel on a chartered Embraer 190. Its planning identified three possible locations for prime viewing of the eclipse on the path of totality: Keflavik, Iceland; Valladolid, on mainland Spain; or Palma, Mallorca. The decision for Valladolid was made last Friday based on weather forecasts, and the passengers who departed from London Stansted Airport (EGSS) enjoyed spectacular views. Thousands of Spaniards also experienced the first total solar eclipse visible in the country in more than a century.
“We booked the day return flight more than a year ago, knowing that we would be able to help eclipse-chasers, astronomy enthusiasts, and photographers get the best view of the first total solar eclipse in continental Europe since 2006,” said Matthew Purton, ACS’ group aviation services director. He added that the company chartered private jets into Zaragoza, Spain, and Palma for other clients also eager to see the phenomenon.
According to Purton, ACS is now looking ahead to next year’s eclipse on August 2, which many are dubbing “The Eclipse of the Century” due to its lengthy 6.5 minutes of totality.