Air travel is not cheap due to the high cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance and a number of other factors. It would seem that the obvious way to save fuel is to launch the aircraft in a direct path from point A to point B.

However, if you study the flight map, it immediately becomes clear that not a single vessel flies along the shortest line - directly. What is the reason?

Route network and the circular shape of the Earth

If earlier flight routes depended on the location of ground objects, now planes use beacons as landmarks. Thus a kind of "heavenly slopes" appeared. Modern air transport does not need to plot between lighthouses, but this system is still used in practice. Do not forget about the distance to alternate airports.

Interesting fact: Active work is underway to introduce technology of free routes in the airspace. Many airlines already test them at night or on weekends.

On maps, planet Earth is represented as a two-dimensional surface. In fact, an airplane cannot fly in a straight line. As the shortest route, not a line can be used, but a certain segment of a large circle. Thus, specialists choose the shortest path taking into account the shape of the Earth. As an example, take Paris and Vancouver.Both cities are located at a latitude of 49 degrees. The shortest flight route passes through Greenland.

Weather conditions and air congestion

Even for such a massive and heavy scheduled flight, the wind becomes a serious obstacle. In difficult weather conditions, the shortest route may not be that fast.

Wind is not the only danger. They reduce the speed of the vehicle and even pose a danger to it clouds in which thunderstorms form. Hazardous weather conditions can also include hail, lightning, icing, etc. Pilots prefer to avoid such phenomena.

Airlines often have alternative routes for special situations. There are traffic jams even in airspace. This is due to the fact that at a certain time too many planes fly through a specific part of the space. A longer alternative route avoids difficult situations.

Conflict zones and military exercises

Choosing between the speed of flight and the safety of the ship, the passengers in it, the crew, the second is always a priority. Therefore, when plotting a route, specialists avoid territories where various military conflicts take place. At the same time, information is regularly updated, studies are conducted so that all airlines are aware of the possible risks. The organization of civil aviation at the international level is dealing with this issue.

Correct flight routes have in the case of military exercises. Sometimes this causes inconvenience, flight time is extended, however, tests are necessary and cannot be avoided. The only thing that experts can do is to resume normal modes of movement in the near future after the completion of the exercises.

Air navigation cost

Each time a plane flies over a certain state, the airline pays for the use of navigation services. Prices are different everywhere, so sometimes, in order to save on flight, it’s more profitable to cover a longer distance and not cross the country’s space with high prices.

Interesting fact: Flight over Germany will cost more than over Poland. For example, the Stockholm-Pisa route is more profitable to go around Germany, despite the fact that it will become longer.

Thus, airplanes do not fly on the shortest lines for several reasons. Hazardous weather, traffic jams, military test areas and conflict areas must be avoided. Other reasons include outdated route networks and the high cost of air navigation in individual countries.