**A unique mission above the clouds** On August 12, 2026, Iberia will operate a special circular flight from Madrid to Madrid, designated IB1473, to chase the path of totality of a total solar eclipse over northern Spain. The flight, an Airbus A321XLR, will climb to over 10,000 meters (about 33,000 feet) to give researchers from the Shelios project an unobstructed view of the solar corona, free from cloud cover and atmospheric disturbances that often hamper ground-based observations. The flight number pays homage to 1473, the birth year of Nicolaus Copernicus, the father of heliocentrism. **A crew with scientific expertise** The flight will be commanded by Captain Javier Lopera Alcalá, with First Officer Javier Meana Fernández, who holds a background in astrophysics—a rare combination that will help optimize the observation sequence during the brief moments of totality. On board, alongside selected guests, will be a team of researchers from the Shelios project, led by astronomer Miquel Serra-Ricart of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands. This is not a commercial flight; tickets are not being sold to the public, and boarding is reserved for scientists and invited guests. **A flying laboratory and a connectivity showcase** From cruise altitude, the researchers will measure the morphology of the Sun and observe the immediate solar environment, including the apparent positions of Venus, Mercury, and other stars visible during totality. The flight also serves as a showcase for Iberia's new Starlink-based in-flight connectivity, which will stream the event live on the airline's social media channels. Diego Fernández, Iberia's Director of Strategy, Transformation, and Sustainability, emphasized the collaboration's value in uniting aviation, science, and innovation, and highlighted the company's commitment to technological advancement and positive societal impact. **A rare astronomical event for Spain** The August 2026 eclipse is particularly significant for Spain and Europe: it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula in over a century, with the last comparable event occurring in 1905. The path of totality will cross northern Spain from west to east, passing over cities like Oviedo, León, Bilbao, Zaragoza, and Valencia, with a duration of totality of about one minute in Spain, compared to a maximum of 2 minutes 18 seconds near Iceland. This flight exemplifies how aviation can support scientific research and public engagement, offering a unique perspective that ground-based observers cannot achieve.