Lexi Webster
When travelling from the USA to Australia or Asia, planes usually fly west over the Pacific Ocean. This is because it would be too far for any current plane to fly non-stop from the US to Asia going east. The exception to this is if you were to fly with an airline such as Emirates, which would involve flying eastward from the US to Dubai and then changing planes for the onward flight to Asia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for not flying the other way to Australia | It would be too far for any current plane to fly eastward from the US to Asia without stopping |
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What You'll Learn
It's too far to fly without stopping
It is too far to fly from the US to Asia without stopping to refuel. Most flights between the US and Asia fly over the Pacific Ocean, taking a polar route over the North Pole. This is because it would be too far to fly eastward from the US to Asia without stopping. For example, an Emirates flight from the US to Asia would involve flying eastward from the US to Dubai and then taking a connecting flight from Dubai to Asia.
The polar route is the shortest route using a great circle map, and while many of these flights do fly over a bit of the Pacific, they don't cross it. This route is made possible by the use of a great circle mapper, which allows pilots to plan the shortest route between two points on a globe.
The exception to this rule is flights from the east coast of the US to Asia, which may take a more direct route over the Pacific Ocean. These flights still don't typically cross the Pacific, but they may fly over a small portion of it. However, the majority of flights between the US and Asia will take the more fuel-efficient polar route.
In summary, it is simply too far to fly from the US to Asia without stopping to refuel, and the polar route is the most efficient way to make this journey.
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Emirates flies eastward to Dubai, but passengers need to change planes
Emirates flights from the UK to Dubai are eastward. However, passengers travelling beyond Dubai to destinations like Sydney and Mauritius need to change planes. This can be a confusing and anxiety-inducing experience for some, especially in Dubai's bustling airport.
Passengers connecting flights in Dubai will need to go through an aviation security check, during which their person and baggage will be examined. They can then refer to the big screens indicating the gate number for their onward flight. All flights are displayed in time order, and their boarding pass will show the departure time. If the connection is not displayed on the screens, passengers should approach Emirates ground staff for assistance.
Passengers with a long layover can refer to the screens to determine if they have time to make use of the sleeping pods or hotel in the terminal. They can also explore the "lovely" airport, as one TripAdvisor user describes it. Those connecting to a flydubai flight should head to the flydubai connections desk, where their boarding pass and travel documents will be checked.
Passengers do not need to collect their luggage or pass through immigration when changing planes in Dubai. Their bags will be automatically transferred to their next flight. However, they will need to go through security checks again with their hand luggage. If they have purchased separate tickets for their journey, they should check the rules for connecting passengers with the concerned airline.
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The polar route is the shortest path
The polar route is made possible by the great circle map, which allows planes to take the most direct path. This route does not involve a straight line but rather an arc that curves towards the Earth's surface. This is because the Earth is spherical, so any straight path on its surface is actually part of a circle that wraps around it.
The great circle route is often the most efficient way to travel long distances, as it minimizes the total distance flown. This is because the Earth's curvature means that the shortest distance between two points on its surface is usually part of a great circle.
The polar route is not always the most commonly used, however. For example, flights from the US to Asia may still fly over the Pacific, despite this not being the shortest route. This is likely due to factors such as the availability of airports, flight corridors, and prevailing winds, which can all affect the efficiency of a flight.
In summary, the polar route is the shortest path between certain destinations in the US and Asia, but it is not always the most practical or commonly used route.
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Some flights from the east coast to Asia don't cross the Pacific
Flights from the US East Coast to Asia don't always cross the Pacific Ocean. Instead, they often take a curved polar route over the North Pole, which is the shortest route between the two destinations. This route offers cost-saving benefits in the form of lower fuel consumption and faster flight times.
For example, flights from Toronto to Beijing typically fly westbound and continue west across the North Pole before landing in Beijing. However, on rare occasions, these flights may deviate slightly to the right of the North Pole and appear to fly eastbound across the Atlantic. This deviation is due to prevailing winds or other air traffic, and the flight is still primarily flying north.
Similarly, flights from JFK or EWR to Hong Kong may also take the polar route, which only crosses a small part of the Pacific Ocean. Korean Air also operates flights over the North Pole to Seoul.
It's important to note that all flight paths on Earth are curved due to the spherical shape of the planet. The direction of the curve depends on the observer's location relative to the flight path. For instance, if you observe a flight path from the south, it may appear to curve northwards and then south, while observing the same path from the east may give the impression of a westward and then eastward curve.
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The Atlantic route is an option for Tel Aviv
The Atlantic route is a viable option for travel between Tel Aviv and several destinations in North America, including New York, Atlanta, Miami, and Las Vegas. This route was previously served by Virgin Atlantic, which offered direct flights between Tel Aviv and London Heathrow. However, due to careful consideration and challenges such as the Gaza war, Virgin Atlantic made the difficult decision to cancel its services on this route. The suspension of the route by Virgin Atlantic was announced in April 2025, and affected passengers were offered alternatives, including rebooking on other carriers or requesting refunds.
The Atlantic route provides convenient connections to various US destinations through partnerships with other airlines. For example, Virgin Atlantic had a partnership with EL AL, Israel's national carrier, allowing seamless connections from Tel Aviv to multiple US cities via London. This partnership offers reciprocal loyalty rewards and tier benefits for frequent flyers, enhancing the overall travel experience.
The availability of the Atlantic route as an option for Tel Aviv depends on several factors, including demand, airline partnerships, and geopolitical considerations. In the case of Virgin Atlantic, the decision to cancel the route was influenced by the presence of other alternatives, such as the partnership between Delta Air Lines and EL AL, which partially served the same purpose of connecting US traffic.
It's important to note that the Atlantic route may not always be the most direct or fastest option for travel between Tel Aviv and North America. Other routes, such as those over the Middle East or through Europe, may offer different travel times and connections. However, the Atlantic route presents a convenient alternative, especially for those seeking seamless connections to specific destinations in the US.
When considering travel between Tel Aviv and Australia, the Atlantic route is not a direct option. The fastest way to travel between these two locations is by air, with a flight time of approximately 19 hours and 37 minutes. This route typically involves flying from Tel Aviv to Perth, Australia, with several airlines offering multiple daily flights. Therefore, while the Atlantic route is not directly applicable for Tel Aviv to Australia travel, it remains a viable option for connections to North America, depending on the specific destination and preferences of the traveller.
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Frequently asked questions
It would be too far for any current plane to fly eastward from the US to Asia without stopping.
Yes, if you flew with an airline such as Emirates, you could fly eastward from the US to Dubai and then change planes for your onward flight to Asia.
Many flights from the East Coast of the US to Asia (e.g. JFK or EWR to Hong Kong) take the polar route over the North Pole. This is the shortest route using the great circle map.
While they do fly over a bit of the Pacific, they don't cross it.
