For many astronomers, flying through the air in pursuit of a total solar eclipse is a dream opportunity. LATAM Airlines Group gave a group of 50 astronomers and enthusiasts from10 countries the chance to do just that.

Early in July, one of LATAM’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft took off from Easter Island and made for the solar eclipse’s shadow. The plane chased the shadow, giving onboard passengers eight minutes of total darkness. Under normal conditions, people can only experience about 2.5 minutes of total darkness during a total solar eclipse.

“At LATAM, we are committed to showcasing the best of Latin America to the world and we are proud that the leading eclipse chasers chose us as the airline to follow the path of this phenomenon on a unique flight over the Pacific that took off from the remotest place on the planet, Easter Island,” said Yanina Manassa, customer service director, LATAM Airlines Group.

Not forgetting its own sustainability measures, LATAM Airlines Group offset the flight with a reforestation project in Madre de Dios in the Peruvian Amazon.

LATAM worked with top astronomy officials for more than two years to plan every aspect of the trip, from speed to trajectory to avoiding inclement weather, to give passengers the best view possible.