If you have traveled on a long distance flight, you might have noticed that the path of an airplane is always a curve and never a straight line. This is definitely a curveball, because the most obvious question is – isn’t the shortest distance between two destinations always a straight line? The explanation for this is actually quite simple, and involves a bit of geography, physics, and aerodynamics.

It’s because of the Earth!

The primary reason for the curved flight path is the Earth’s shape. Let’s go back to basic geography for a moment. The Earth is not a plane but a sphere (more precisely, an oblate spheroid), so the shortest distance between two points on its surface is not a straight line – it is an arc known as the Great Circle. . Unlike the equator, where the Earth is at its widest, choosing to fly near the poles reduces your distances. This great circle (drawn around the smaller circumference of the Earth) divides the globe into two equal parts and represents the shortest route between two places.

For example, when flying from North America to Europe, the Great Circle route often passes over Greenland and the North Atlantic rather than crossing the Atlantic in a “straight” line. Although this winding route may appear long on a flat map, it is actually the most efficient way to travel.

Fuel efficiency, weather and other reasons

Airlines prioritize fuel efficiency and safety, which also affect flight paths. By flying the Great Circle routes, airplane Use less fuel as travel distance is reduced.

However, practical considerations such as wind patterns, jet streams, and turbulence also shape the path. Jet streams – narrow bands of fast winds in the upper atmosphere – can significantly affect flight time and fuel consumption. Pilots often plan routes to meet favorable winds or avoid adverse winds, even if this means deviating slightly from the shortest path.

Your flight may also take a more circuitous route to avoid restricted airspaces that may be caused by military zones, natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and environmental hazards such as volcanic eruptions.

Map illusion: why it looks more curved

The curved appearance of flight paths on flat maps can also be attributed to map projections. The most commonly used projection, the Mercator projection, distorts distances and shapes, especially near the poles. This makes the straight Great Circle routes appear more winding than they actually are.

Also read: Why are there ashtrays on planes when you can’t smoke in flight?

On a globe or 3D representation, the curve will appear as the shortest line between two points. Tools such as Google Earth or specialized aviation maps offer a more accurate depiction of these routes.

Travel News Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.