Monday, Aug. 21, 10:19:28 a.m.—A total eclipse of the sun. Well almost. Make that 99.2 percent obscuration at Portland International Airport. Yet, the remaining sliver of sunlight didn’t darken the spirits of hundreds who gathered atop the PDX parking garage to witness the incredibly rare treat.

As the first chance for Oregonians to see such as sight since 1979, the significance didn’t go unnoticed by the PDX team. Rays of the event illuminated the airport terminal, from an eclipse-themed creation by Blue Star Donuts, to the most tie-dye seen in PDX since the early ‘70s.

Alaska Airlines seized the opportunity by inviting local and national media, and select astronomy enthusiasts, eclipse chasers and guests on a flight of a lifetime from PDX, offering unobstructed viewing of totality from 40,000 feet aboard their exclusive charter flight.