Well I wouldn't go that way :) :)

[Pudsey Bear]

 

[2cv]

The shortest track is the great circle, but that is adjusted to take account of winds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great-circle_navigation

Oh, and I think it’s the Gulf of America now

 

[maingate]

Twin engine passenger aircraft are a fairly recent long haul innovation. Most of that flight is over land with a minimum over water. It makes sense in case of emergency.

It's interesting to see it done in one leg. Last time we flew that way, it involved a refuelling stopover in Maine. Aircraft have advanced a long way in the past 40 years. I remember when even a 747 had to stop for fuel at Nairobi on the South Africa run from Heathrow.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

The shortest track is the great circle, but that is adjusted to take account of winds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great-circle_navigation

Oh, and I think it’s the Gulf of America now

Aye, I know Bill, everything flies over our house a load of A400s this weekend headed from Brize Norton to Iceland.

 

[2cv]

Twin engine passenger aircraft are a fairly recent long haul innovation. Most of that flight is over land with a minimum over water. It makes sense in case of emergency.

It's interesting to see it done in one leg. Last time we flew that way, it involved a refuelling stopover in Maine. Aircraft have advanced a long way in the past 40 years. I remember when even a 747 had to stop for fuel at Nairobi on the South Africa run from Heathrow.

Twins flying long haul even over water have been around for 40 years or so, using ETOPS rules https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETOPS
At first the joke was that it stood for Engines Turning or Passengers Swimming! Modern twins are virtually unrestricted as to their routes, even new types.

 

[trevskoda]

Twins flying long haul even over water have been around for 40 years or so, using ETOPS rules https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETOPS
At first the joke was that it stood for Engines Turning or Passengers Swimming! Modern twins are virtually unrestricted as to their routes, even new types.

It used to be 1 hr flying on one engine before loosing hight & a splash, things have sure changed.

 

[Hotel Du Van]

I’d imagine that route was chosen because there was a storm located further south over the Atlantic and involved very strong headwinds. The North Atlantic Tracks for that day would have possibly been very North and as stated ETOPS requirement. Many years ago it was common for twin engine aircraft to fly the “Blue spruce routes” to the north and refuel stop en route, since then aircraft and engines have improved greatly allowing further range.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I’d imagine that route was chosen because there was a storm located further south over the Atlantic and involved very strong headwinds. The North Atlantic Tracks for that day would have possibly been very North and as stated ETOPS requirement. Many years ago it was common for twin engine aircraft to fly the “Blue spruce routes” to the north and refuel stop en route, since then aircraft and engines have improved greatly allowing further range.

No, it is purely down to distance, the great circle route being basically a straight line.