SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – While your eyes were fixed on the sky Monday, you may have seen an absurd number of planes. They were flying into the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport for the eclipse.
There hasn’t been a quiet moment on this tarmac Monday as dozens of private planes– the most the airport has ever seen– touched down for the eclipse.
“It was like a magical ride. It was so smooth. Just a beautiful day to fly,” Ken Krentsa said.
Krentsa flew in from Massachusetts with his wife and family for the spectacle.
“They gave us a premium parking spot and we set up our picnic. All part of the plan. And we’ll leave later on this afternoon after the eclipse and be home tonight to feed the dog,” he said.
Krentsa’s private plane was one of a whopping 130 or so that touched down at the airport on Monday.
“This is by far to known history, the largest quantity of private aircraft that we’ve ever had at this airport and that’s really exciting,” said Nic Longo of the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport.
Most visitors flew in from around New England, though a few outliers came from farther away, like Arizona.
“It’s a lot easier. It’s an hour and a half flight for me versus I think it’s probably a six to seven drive each way,” said Richard Jacobs of Massachusetts.
Some stuck around for the airport’s on-site celebration, Transcend, while others ventured out into the community.
“Visit with the kids, have lunch and then witness basically this awe-inspiring event,” said Carter Comunale of Connecticut.
For people flying commercial, airport officials said they expected around 2,000 tourists to leave Vermont on Tuesday, but they felt ready to handle the rush.
“We had a plan to make sure we can accommodate as many folks as possible in a safe way to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Longo said.
As for private flyers returning home, BTV’s fixed-base operator, Heritage Aviation, said pilots will get departure numbers from the airport to coordinate regular takeoffs. That could take some time.
“If you have 100 airplanes that need to take off and most of them want to leave at five, that obviously isn’t going to happen,” said Christy Brigante of Heritage Aviation.
Despite the mad dash, most flyers said a tarmac view of a total solar eclipse was worth the wait.
“It gives me goosebumps what we’re about to witness today. This isn’t about Burlington. It’s all of us coming together, of course. But this is about the universe and this is just absolutely spectacular,” Longo said.
Heritage said they wanted to get clear out all of the private planes by 10 p.m. Monday.