Why don't transatlantic flights fly in a straight line from origin to destination, i.e. Cleveland to London.

Question

I was recently on a flight from Cleveland to London, Gatwick. When viewing the flight map on board the plane, it appeared that we were not flying in a straight line directly to London, rather we were flying north through Newfoundland. On the way back we flew north out of Scotland, then over the tip of Greenland and back down. Does this have something to do with the jet stream? Or do flights have to stay a certain distance from land?

Answer 1

There are certain areas that are restricted airspace. Like over a military or government building. Also, keep in mind that flights are flown around dangerous weather fronts and patterns.

Answer 2

They often fly over the top of the globe, as this is actually shorter than flying straight over the Atlantic due to the oval shape of the planet.

Answer 3

For one bear in mind that the earth is not flat...  what appears to be a curve on a flattened world map could actually be a straight line when applied to a sphere.

Also there are certain jetstreams at high level that can make the journey quicker and more efficient by taking a slightly longer route but with a little help from the wind.

Answer 4

Unless there is some territorial limitation from a country along the route, planes usually fly what is called a 'great circle' route.  It is the shortest route between the 2 destinations.  Flying between Cleveland and London, the shortest distance is up through eastern Canada.  To illustrate this take a string and place it on a globe with the end points of the string on Cleveland and London. Pull it tight and move the string back and forth until it settles out.  That is the shortest path.  You will be surprised at the result.

Answer 5

just in case there is a problem they can make an emergency landing somewhere

Answer 6

There are many reasons.

1) Because the earth is round.

2) Because the plane has to stay within radio contact of certain centers.

3) Because the earth spins and if the plane flyes near the north pole or the south pole it can shorten the flight time

4) Wind. The plane can fly with winds to shorten the flight time

Answer 7

Airlines fly what is is known as a 'polar route'.  This route is shorter than what appears to be a straight line.  It is sometimes modified a bit to take advantage of prevailing winds

Answer 8

there are other planes out there. and some times they have to go around. to avoid a mid air crash.

Answer 9

it doesnt have anything to do with the jetstream because planes fly above the weather...  .  They would also have to stay a certain distance clear of other aircraft.

Answer 10

The earth is curved so the shortest distance between two points is a curve

Answer 11

thats how all flights are because you are over land most of the time