why do not fly straight across atlanitc to europe
2007-12-22 11:23:25 · 5 answers · asked by jaroslawbaran 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
The shortest distance between two points on the earth (other than trhu the earth) is a great circle route. The equator is one great circle. The lines of longitude are great circles. You can draw a great circle through any two point.
2007-12-22 11:37:35 · answer #1 · answered by Gary H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Shorter route is part of it, safer if emergency were to arise is part of it and finally the jet stream is part of it! Why fly against the wind if you can save energy/fuel by flying with it!
2007-12-22 14:27:17 · answer #2 · answered by JimBob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The route that you suggest is less straight and a longer distance. The map is misleading because of the curvature of the earth.
2007-12-22 11:31:14 · answer #3 · answered by StephenWeinstein 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's safer to stay closer to land. If a plane fails, where is it going to make an emergency landing?
It's much safer to land on an existing runway, or road. People would probably die of hypothermia (getting too cold) before a boat could get to them if they landed in the middle of the atlantic.
2007-12-22 11:38:26 · answer #4 · answered by contemplating 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Its much safer to remain as close to land as possible. if anything happens to the plane they need a place to land;Greenland
2007-12-22 15:03:30 · answer #5 · answered by adash23 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋