Photos of the Week: Sunrise, Sunset, Southwest

For avgeeks, there’s nothing better than golden hour, that magical time just before sunset or after sunrise.  

What other time of day can plane spotters capture views like these? This week’s photo comes via Instagram from Devin Eatman (@east_coast_aviation), who shared this Southwest aircraft shadowed in the light of golden hour.  

Although most of the photo is bright yellows and oranges, there’s no hiding Southwest’s iconic blue livery over the clouds. 

Eatman captured this Boeing 737-8H4 on its way from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago Midway Airport. The Boeing 737 family is the best-selling commercial jetliner ever. It has been flying since the 1960s and has flown over 100 billion miles across the world since then. It’s carried over 17 billion passengers, too— over double the world’s population. So even if you didn’t know it, there’s a pretty good chance you have taken flight on a 737.   

Elissa Scalise Powell showed some love for Southwest too with this cloudy photo she took on her way to Pittsburgh from Jacksonville, Florida. Seeing the clouds open to reveal a cityscape below is an experience unique to aviation, and one we never get tired of seeing.   

Thanks, Devin and Elissa!  

Our readers continue to pass along shots of unique aircraft, international airports, historical events, gorgeous views and even family vacation photos for this feature. We love them! Keep them coming — you can  click here for submission guidelines. 

A Southwest plane wing shines above the clouds (Photo by Elissa Scalise Powell).