Why are transatlantic flights not straight over the ocean rather they tend to hug the land mass.?

Question

Why are transatlantic flights not straight over the ocean rather they tend to hug the land mass.?

Answer 1

It may be for safety reasons, to remain within a shorter distance from the nearest airport at the furthest part of the flight. But it may also be a bit of an illusion.

The shortest distance between any two points is a straight line. But between two points on the surface of the Earth, that straight line would go underground. So a plane can't fly in a straight line.

In fact, the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the Earth that doesn't go underground is a segment of the great circle that includes those two points. Seen on a flat map, this segment appears like an n or a u.

If you're looking at two coastal cities along an ocean this path will appear to hug the coast (towards the poles) on both ends.

Answer 2

you should take a thread and an earth globe, and then you try to follow the route of the plane with the thread. once you've done that, try to do it "transatlantically"... the distance is longer, so this is the reason (my geography teacher told us, i am not inventing it)

Answer 3

The rule of flying path is from a commuciation tower to another communication tower.Thats why the trans pole flight still far from reality since no air comm. tower there. Flying overland  also considered safer instead flying over the water, when anything happens backups and helps would be easier tobe provided overland. Some long path over the water also requires ETOPS( capability of flying for a certain period of time with only one engine working)  certified aircraft, so far the longest time is for 120 minutes.(if I am not mistaken)

Answer 4

Wouldn't you?