Flight Routes question

[fumanchu]

I've just been watching a FedEx plane going from Memphis to Dubai, and he passed right over my house (at 35000ft). I'm in Scotland, far to the north of both Memphis and Dubai. Can I ask why they take this route?

[Amper]

have in mind that Earth is sphere but not completely round

[fumanchu]

Ah really - I don't know these things lol, it just looked odd to me. Thanks

[airnrail]

Ah really - I don't know these things lol, it just looked odd to me. Thanks

If you zoom out FR24 so that the world map is visible you'll see few, if any, aircraft on a straight path from North America to the Middle East. Most appear to arc northwards and many pass over Britain while most pass over Europe at some point during the flight. For instance I used to watch a Canadian plane from Toronto to Tel Aviv and it often passed right over Heathrow. On FR24 you are looking at a flat representation of a globe and those arcs are close to straight lines when executed over a globe. Also bear in mind that in these times many flights to and from the Middle East are flying less than optimal routes for security reasons.

[KyleG]

As you can see here, the straightest line between the two goes just north of Scotland. Depending on ATC clearances and weather, the flight could easily fly over mainland Scotland and still be heading in the right direction.

[Kpin]

As you can see here, the straightest line between the two goes just north of Scotland. Depending on ATC clearances and weather, the flight could easily fly over mainland Scotland and still be heading in the right direction.

KyleG, what tool did you use to produce that image, please?

[fumanchu]

Wow that makes it clearer thanks!

[KyleG]

KyleG, what tool did you use to produce that image, please?

http://www.gcmap.com/

Wow that makes it clearer thanks!

No worries