Why do transatlantic flights veer north over greenland?

Question

Why do transatlantic flights veer north over greenland?

Answer 1

Because the map they display is a flat rectangle. If you tried wrapping a piece of paper shaped like a rectangle around a sphere it wouldn't fit right. Due to the stretched and distorted map, it appears that the line curves, when in reality, its the most direct route on a sphere/egg shape(earth). That's what I concluded when taking one of them trans-Atlantic flights that I take a few times a year ;).

Answer 2

The earth flattens out as you get further further north, also the air is thinner. Firstly because the earth is flatter it reduces distance, and the air is thinner reduces drag - so the airplane can either fly faster or use less fuel or a mix of both.

As well as this, twin engined aircraft have to be within a certain distance of a runway at anytime during their flight (ETOPS) - so this affects the routing a lot.

4 engined aircraft will tend to fly the most direct route as they are ETOPS immune - also having the quickest journey times.

Answer 3

THE DIRECT AND SHORTEST  PATH BETWEEN LONDON/EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TOWARDS CANADA/NEW YORK/USA IS FLOODED WITH AIRCRAFTS  IN LARGE  NUMBERS AT A GIVEN POINT OF TIME. AS SUCH ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFTS CANNOT BE PERMITTED TO AVOID COLLUSION.THEREFORE ALL THE ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFTS ARE DIVERTED TO FLY ACROSS GREENLAND. FOR SAFETY

Answer 4

The total distance is shorter.

Answer 5

1. It's shorter/quicker.

2. To have land close by in case of need for emergency landing.

Answer 6

Most of that has to due with the way that the wind blow. Planes try to fly with the winds to get there faster and smoother. They also do it cause most likly their backup airport is located somewhere near. A backup airport is just incase of inclimate weather at the main airport of closer of airport.