Sky Briefing #005 — Galicia, Reykjavik and Two Planets
On Wednesday, UA222 lifts off from Newark: 737 MAX 8, 3,310 miles, eight hours, the first US nonstop to Galicia. The next morning, Alaska sends a 737 to Reykjavik. And in the western sky, Venus has been closing on Jupiter all month — by June 9 they sit 1.5 degrees apart. Two new Atlantic routes this week. Two planets for the window seat.
Skies
Venus and Jupiter meet on June 9 — start watching the western sky tonight. This week they already sit about five degrees apart, low in the west just after sunset in Gemini. Venus at magnitude -4.5, Jupiter at -2.1 — both visible to the naked eye through any gap in urban haze. By June 9, the gap closes to 1.5 degrees: three lunar diameters, one pinky at arm’s length. Evening westbound flights from this week onward: left window, first thirty minutes after sunset. EarthSky — Venus-Jupiter Conjunction June 2026
A coronal-hole stream arrives Monday night — no storm, but worth a northbound glance. A negative-polarity high-speed stream is expected to reach Earth late on May 26 UTC. NOAA forecasts Kp up to 4 — active, but below the G1 storm threshold of Kp 5. Aurora south of 65 degrees is unlikely. If you are on a North Atlantic route Monday night, a look toward the northern horizon around 01:00 UTC costs nothing. NOAA SWPC — 3-Day Forecast
Aviation
United crosses the Atlantic on a 737 MAX Wednesday — the longest narrowbody transatlantic route it has ever flown. UA222 departs Newark at 7:15 PM Eastern, touches down in Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) at 8:15 AM. That is 3,310 miles on a single-aisle jet, with 16 business seats and 150 economy. First US nonstop to Galicia in commercial aviation history, running seasonally through September 20. The approach over the Rías Baixas at dawn is not the worst way to end a pilgrimage. Simple Flying — United’s Longest 737 MAX Routes 2026
Alaska adds Reykjavik on Thursday — one week after London, and not by accident. From May 28, Alaska Airlines flies Seattle to Keflavik (KEF) daily through September 7, on the 737-8 MAX. A codeshare with Icelandair unlocks 35-plus European destinations without a connection through Newark or London. In one month, Alaska has gone from zero to two European stations. That is a redrawn map. Alaska Airlines — Reykjavik Launch
Finnair returns to Toronto after eleven years — with Greenland under the left wing. Since May 4, Finnair flies Helsinki to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) three times weekly: A330-300, seasonal through August 29. Last time HEL flew YYZ was 2015. The route crosses Baffin Island and the Davis Strait — on a clear day, Greenland’s eastern coast sits below the left window. Only direct Canada-Finland connection this season. PAX News — Finnair Helsinki-Toronto
because you need to know when eight hours on a narrowbody is still the fastest way to the end of the Camino.