Why planes avoid the Pacific Ocean

While it may seem like planes avoid the Pacific Ocean, that's not entirely true. You'll find that many flights, especially those traveling between North America and Asia or Australia, do cross the Pacific. However, they often take routes that might seem indirect on a flat map.

Here's why:

The shortest distance isn't always a straight line: The Earth is a sphere, and the shortest distance between two points on a sphere is actually a curved line. These curved routes, known as great circle routes, often appear to curve significantly on a flat map, but they are actually the most efficient paths.  

Fuel efficiency: Flying over land can sometimes be more fuel-efficient due to factors like jet streams and air density. Planes can take advantage of these to reduce fuel consumption.  

Safety: While modern planes are incredibly safe, it's still a factor to consider that there are fewer emergency landing options in the middle of the Pacific Ocean compared to land. Planes often fly within a certain distance of land for this reason.

Weather: The Pacific Ocean can experience turbulent weather, including storms and strong winds. Planes may take routes that avoid these areas for a smoother flight.  

So, while planes do fly over the Pacific, they often take carefully planned routes that consider factors like distance, fuel efficiency, safety, and weather.

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