Why Planes Don't Fly Over the Pacific Ocean

Writing can be exhausting. I really need a vacation. Maybe somewhere exotic? How about Korea or Japan? Imagine the incredible food and vibrant culture! I’d probably embarrass myself with the local customs, but what’s not to love?

However, while booking my getaway, I noticed something odd. My flight is detouring over Alaska. Why would the airline avoid the Pacific Ocean? Is this a mistake? Did I unintentionally choose the caribou route?

At first, it seems like a safety precaution. The Pacific is vast and deep. If a plane has issues over such a boundless expanse, finding a safe landing spot is tough. Alaska doesn’t have many international airports, but it’s a safer option than the ocean. How's that for a tourism slogan? “Alaska: at least it’s better than sinking!”

It’s not entirely wrong to think this way. Many pilots try to maximize airport availability along their routes. Emergencies are rare, but losing an engine over the Pacific? Tremendous stress. Yet, that's not the primary reason for the detour. Ultimately, it’s about saving fuel and time. Airlines are businesses. Their profits hinge on moving passengers efficiently. Everyone loves a speedy trip!

Now, let’s talk about those flight paths. They often appear not straight at all. A flat map does indeed make it seem longer. But wait! The Earth isn’t flat. It’s a sphere. This can be confusing because we usually view our world in two dimensions. Unless you have a globe handy, maps can mislead you.

Want a quick experiment? Grab a globe! If you place a string from Los Angeles to Tokyo, you’ll see it doesn’t stay parallel to the latitude lines. Instead, it bends slightly upwards, following the Earth’s curvature. It’s even more noticeable in reality, not just on my globe.

But here’s the twist: Earth isn’t a perfect sphere. It bulges at the equator. Our planet rotates fast enough to cause this bulging. Anyone at the equator is moving at about 1,000 mph! The difference in circumference from the poles to the equator is nearly 40 miles. That’s significant on a planetary scale!

This bulge means routing flights toward the poles is shorter than flying “straight” across maps. But don’t be mistaken! Planes do cross the Pacific to reach places like Australia. They avoid storms too. Thunderstorms can be tricky! While hurricanes can be navigated around, even ordinary thunderstorms can lead to severe turbulence.

So, buckle up! Turbulence is less over water than land. Why? Because water distributes heat more evenly than soil. This leads to smoother flights.

Now consider the jet streams. These air currents exist high in the atmosphere. They can reach speeds over 200 mph! Flying with a jet stream can cut hours off your journey. But be cautious of the risks. Clear-air turbulence hides along jet stream edges and can be severe.

In 1997, a plane from Tokyo to Honolulu experienced this turbulence. It dropped suddenly, tossing passengers about. Fortunately, the pilots regained control. But it reminded everyone of the risks. So, remember: keep those seat belts fastened at all times during the flight!

Understanding flight paths involves factors we rarely think about. The jet stream influences high-altitude flights, while the Earth’s curvature matters at high speeds over vast distances. My car can’t quite manage that yet—at least not without a little imagination!

Deliberations that are involved are not as simple as we may think. If you found these insights intriguing, like subscribe and share with a friend! Check out these other fascinating stories! Click left or right and stay on the Bright Side of life!