Why long distance flights which fly over sea/oceans take a curvy path and not a straight path?

Answer 1

Several reasons. Typically, the flat maps you see on paper are not really representative of the Earth. The Earth is round, not flat, and so the shortest route looks weird when translated to a flat map.

Other reasons may be related to territorial ownership. Some nations do not allow fly overs in their territorial waters, so flight plans have to fly around them.

Also, there are high-altitude currents in the air, called jet streams, which make for faster flying relative to the Earth, so flight plans take these into consideration when they're convenient.

Answer 2

First let you know how a plane flies in the sky:
It takes identification signals from some definite points/places on the grounds, that have elevtronic navigational aid eqpts installed ( like Non-directional beacons NDB, VORs,etc) even radio stations in MW freq, or FM frequencies; then it has to report the flight level from certain reporting points ( actual or hypothetical with co-ords marked on the map),
Then it will also allign to the airstreams in that region, which are guided by the meteorological dept.
At one reporting point it may have to turn the heading with a certain angle as specified in his flight plan, which he was allotted before flight.
So considedring all these points, if you plot a free hand curve, off course it will be a curvy path & most probably not a straight path with steep curves.

This suffices your queries , I think.
Actually I am associated with Air traffic services, in Delhi Airport, for Airports Authority of India, So What I told is very much authentic & you can ask any future queries also to me.

Answer 3

Because a straight path will take them across other countries..and that means international charges.
As much as you think your international flights cost way too much, they'd cost you a whole load more if they took a straight path across international borders.

I flew from Hong Kong to Moscow across China, over Mongolia, & all the way through Siberia. It would've been quicker not to, but the price difference was prohibitive.

To get from Moscow to Aguascalientes I had to fly to Zurich, JFK New York, Mexico City, then Ags. Four straight days on aeroplanes & in airports..1 shower, no bed in all that time..I was a shattered mess when I arrived.

The questionable joys of travelling!

Answer 4

Actually they do take a straight path, it is your map that is curved.

If you were to plot out the course you took onto a round globe of the Earth, you would find that it is very straight. It is only the distortion caused by using a flat map that makes it look like a curved path.

Answer 5

A couple of reasons I can think of:
1. To fly within major jet streams, allowing for greater fuel economy.
2. Depending on the latitude, it seems that flying in an arc would be less distance.

Answer 6

none of flights take straight path bec u see on the map in plane the flight goes that way where is iland or minimum flying way on ocean bec they dont wanna risk they are looking for land some times emergency landing ;;;;the airlines wanna be secure and dont take chances and 2nd reason is there r lots of trrafic in sky now.....

Answer 7

because of the fact the earth isn't flat. On a sphere the shortest distance between 2 factors on the floor is termed a "super Circle". Get a bite of string and stretch it between any 2 factors on a globe and you will see it makes a right this moment line, yet whilst the direction is projected on a flat map, it appears that evidently curved.

Answer 8

To catch the jetstream. Jetstreams are fast flowing air currents which can make the flight shorter by some time or longer if a plane flies against it.

Answer 9

Because our planet is a sphere. It is shorter to take a curvy path.

Answer 10

They follow a rumb route - it looks curved on a Mercator projection.