Dave:
I just checked Flight Aware, and was tracking a Jet Blue A320 on a flight from New York to Las Vegas, and rather than fly direct, it flew northeast over Lake Michigan, then west over Madison, before proceeding towards the southwest to Vegas. Why don’t they just fly direct and save the miles?
GA Pilot
Midwest U.S.A.
Dear GA Pilot:
We checked with a senior captain for a major airline, and this is what he has to say:
“We fly wind distance miles. We look at the great circle route (string on a globe) and then factor in the winds, always looking for more tailwinds and less headwinds. The computer model figures the least time spent in the air, hence least fuel consumed and crew expenses paid. It is very sophisticated and accurate to within a few minutes even on my 15-hour trips from O’Hare to Shanghai. Of course, there is always weather, ATC flow control, over-flight permit fees, clear air turbulence reports, volcanic activity, one engine drift down over terrain, and much more to consider.”
Airline Captain
Chicago, Illinois
