So, I was reading about why planes crossing the Atlantic don't stick to a straight path. Turns out, a lot of flights, like British Airways Flight 1511 between JFK and Heathrow, actually fly 1-2 miles off track. Kinda wild, right? This route is super busy-one of the top transatlantic routes. I think it was the most popular in 2025! In 2023 alone, there were over half a million flights between Europe and North America. That's a lot of planes!
The thing is, these small deviations aren't random. They're actually part of a system to keep planes at a safe distance from each other. It's all about safety and efficiency. With so many planes in the sky, especially on busy routes like this, I guess it makes sense they need to spread out a bit.
Anyone here know more about how they decide these tracks? And has anyone else noticed this pattern on other busy routes?
The thing is, these small deviations aren't random. They're actually part of a system to keep planes at a safe distance from each other. It's all about safety and efficiency. With so many planes in the sky, especially on busy routes like this, I guess it makes sense they need to spread out a bit.
Anyone here know more about how they decide these tracks? And has anyone else noticed this pattern on other busy routes?