The Pacific Ocean, recognized as the largest ocean on Earth, is filled with mysteries that often make people cautious.
For passengers frequently flying between Asia and America, a lingering question arises that remains unanswered: Why do most flights avoid a direct path across the Pacific Ocean?
Crossing the Pacific Ocean is not a straight line as seen on maps.
Even when flying from the United States to Japan or South Korea, planes typically take a route that arcs north towards Alaska instead of going directly across.
In reality, the primary reason is to save time and fuel. This may sound counterintuitive, but the truth is that crossing the Pacific Ocean is not a straight path as depicted on maps.
The circumference of the Earth is greater at the equator than at the poles.
Firstly, because the circumference of the Earth at the equator is larger than at the poles, as noted by USA Today. Therefore, a curved flight path is shorter than a straight line. While many believe that flying directly from point A to point B might be the fastest route, this only holds true on a 2D map.
The Earth is spherical, not flat. As it rotates on its axis, the equatorial region appears to “bulge out.” Consequently, the planet’s circumference around the equator is significantly larger compared to higher or lower latitudes, which taper towards the poles. Choosing a curved flight path can substantially reduce the distance traveled.
Another reason is that flight paths must be designed to ensure that aircraft can communicate with ground-based radio stations and be prepared for potential rescue operations in case of emergencies.
Flying across the Pacific is extremely risky because there are no airports for quick landings in the event of an accident, not to mention that weather conditions over the ocean are often less stable than those on land.
