Great Circle Distance and Other Factors
A flight will typically take a direct route to minimise flight length. For long-haul flights, the most direct route is a great circle around the curvature of the earth. For example, aircraft travelling west between continents in the northern hemisphere will often follow paths extending northward near or into the arctic region. The resulting route, when shown on a projected map of the world, will appear curved (despite being the shortest route). The great-circle distance between airports may therefore give an approximation of flight length.
However, a flight route will also take into account weather conditions, and air currents. A transcontinental flight in an Easterly direction will often take a more southerly route to take advantage of the jet stream.
Read more about this topic: Short Haul
Famous quotes containing the words circle, distance and/or factors:
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And the circle of them
With a bright stain.
They will cast out the dead
A sight for Priam’s queen to lament
And her frightened daughters.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
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—Joan Sheingold Ditzion (20th century)
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—Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)