Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiSoxRox
This is the spherical Earth coming into play. Flightpaths, even on a cross-continent scale, will arc poleward to take advantage of the shortening distance between longitude lines.
The straight-line midpoint between SFO (37.6 N) and JFK (40.6 N) is Erickson, Nebraska (41.7 N) and the path just reaches 42 N at Cedar Rapids.
This is also why a direct flight from Seattle to London is 9 hours, but connecting through the East Coast is at least 12 hours combined -- the straight line path from SEA to LHR is bisecting Greenland with the East Coast being almost a right angle turn out of the path.
(There are also weather factors, with the location of the jet stream being a major factor in the precise location of a specific flight path.)
|
Yes correct. First time I flew to Europe I was a bit surprised to be flying over Greenland
Very many flights to Asia go over Alaska. Singapore to Newark flies over the Arctic Ocean.
Here are the routes from Korea.
https://corporatetravelcommunity.com...ean-air-584347
Why Planes Don’t Fly In A Straight Line On A Map
Feb 24, 2020,07:52pm EST
Have you ever been on a long-haul flight and wondered why your aircraft is taking a curved route instead of flying in a straight line when you look at the inflight map?
This is particularly noticeable when flying between Europe and the U.S. when aircraft will fly over Greenland and Northern Canada rather than just simply flying from point A to B as it would visually appear on a map.
A representation of the world's longest flight from Singapore to Newark, NJ. MAPS
The reason for this is down to simple mathematics and physics. The circumference of the Earth is a lot further around the equator than it is at higher or lower latitudes towards the poles of the earth, such is the spherical shape of our planet.
Flying around the smaller circumference of the Earth is called the “Great Circle Route” and also very noticeable for flights from the U.S. to Asia that will fly far above Alaska and Siberia rather than what would appear to be a straight line.
If you think about drawing a line around a globe in the middle where it is widest, versus towards the North or South poles, the differentiation of distance begins to become apparent, and it not only saves a huge amount of time but also fuel.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesas...h=1be3ba1b3556