What kind of air traffic would benefit from a straight line cutting across the North or South Pole? However, pilots are alert to this possibility and will take proactive steps to ensure that this doesnt happen. Presumably, the distance is about the same, but what factors would dictate which way it flies? Consequently, the no-fly zone has been established. In conclusion, yes it is possible to fly over the North Pole, but its uncommon because of how dangerous it is at least if talking about flying directly over the North Pole. This is known as a Great Circle. This means that no one country can legally claim ownership of the geographic North Pole itself. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The reasons for this are,1. In addition near the magnetic north pole compasses are nearly useless due to "dip" in the needle amongst other things. It was the worst civil disaster in New Zealand's history! To ensure that there is no conflict between the two sets of tracks, the polar tracks are well north of the airspace used by the North Atlantic tracks. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. At and near the pole the lines of longitude converge so rapidly that simply flying in a straight line involves constantly changing the heading. According Debapriyo, most commercial airlines avoid flying directly over the Himalayas. The fastest possible distance between two points is a straight line. flown from London to the west coast of the U.S. take advantage of (or to avoid) strong winds, Heres what it takes to pass the captain test for a major airline, consideration has to be given to diversion airfields, Perfect landing: How pilots avoid colliding with the ground in tricky situations, In Arctic areas, it can get even colder, minus 97 degrees Fahrenheit over Siberia is my personal record, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. The crew has dedicated flight crew rest areas that allowfor rest on these ultra-long flights. Richard E. Byrd and Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Bennett won the race to fly over the North Pole, a daring expedition that earned them rare peacetime Medals of Honor. 16 Days. The lab-leak theory has been strongly rejected by China. For one thing, there must be at least two cold weather anti-exposure suits on the aircraft. The Arctic pole is colder due to its proximity to the North Pole, where temperatures are consistently colder year-round. For modern airliners, flying over the North Pole has become a relatively mundane affair. We only use the Enrollment required. Why Some Planes Don't Fly Over the Gulf of Mexico. It isnt that planes cant fly over these polar regions, its simply that there are technological, political, and logistical reasons preventing it. That said, the threat of radiation over the poles does not alter how pilots fly their aircraft. So, pilots flying over Antarctica have to rely on constant contact with air traffic controllers to guide them. It is not currently possible to fly to Antarctica for the majority of people. Instead of using magnetic headings and tracks, we use true headings and tracks. I do not think it could be done much faster. Flying over the North Pole is known as a great circle route, and is the shortest distance between two points on the globe. Airline crew are categorized as "radiation workers" by the U.S. federal government, a classification that includes X-ray technicians and nuclear power plant workers. However, the aircraft isnt stationary. However, have you ever thought of whats hitting the aircraft from above? most reputable and up-to-date sources, which are also cited in the text. Planes can fly over the Arctic, however they do not tend to fly over the pole, primarily due to the pole having the ability to interfere with navigation systems which can cause technological problems. The lack of airports for diversions, extreme weather and navigation challenges are a few of the considerations. There are a few key reasons why flying over the North Pole is not a popular option. Ad Choices. Such as pilots and flight attendants. Thank science: In order to prevent the aircrafts fuel from reaching its freezing point of around -50 degrees Fahrenheit, transpolar flights occasionally descend to a lower altitude over the Arctic, sometimes by as much as 10,000 feet, to an altitude ever so slightly warmer for the fueland ever more picturesque for the passengers. Because we do not live there, and because it looks white and smooth on a map or globe, we tend to stereotype the polar regions as being as such. It's because planes travel along the shortest route in a 3-dimensional space. Whilst this isnt a problem for individual flights, it could start to pose problems for those who fly these routes frequently. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. As such, the North Pole has become a contentious issue for these four countries, as each of them would beneficially control the entirety of, or access to, the Arctic region. Moreover, if communication is obstructed, there is less of an opportunity to ask for help. Unlike the magnetic North Pole, the true North Pole doesn't move. Cosmic radiation originates from two sources. The main reason why humans cannot live on Antarctica is the climate. The speed of air over the wings creates friction, which actually heats the surfaces. A: It depends on where the event happens. It's one of the oldest tricks in the book - fly over the north pole to cut flight times down to size, save fuel and reduce costs. Finally, Antarctica is protected by the Antarctic Treaty System, which prohibits almost all military activity on the continent. But geodesics can be confusing when you're looking at a 2-dimensional map as they follow quite the odd flight path. However, if you've ever flown from London to the west coast of the U.S. and watched the moving map, you will have noticed that the flight initially routes north toward Scotland. However, unlike the North Atlantic tracks which move in location depending on the winds, the polar tracks are fixed. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. This is because of the extreme altitude at which they are flying which makes the air too thin to breathe. This includes the flight level, speed and track which the crew must adhere to. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Firstly, the continent is very remote and largely consists of an unforgiving landscape, which is inhospitable to the majority of human activities, including the operation of aircraft. This makes it illegal for any military presence in the continent. Technically, yes, you can fly over Antarctica, but the difficult conditions of the icy continent make it difficult for most flights. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. As any pilot knows, being able to maintain constant visibility and communication are essential for safe flying. For the A380 flight from Dubai to San Francisco Emirates flew directly over the North Pole, we are able to reach pretty much every other point, flights are already among the longest in the world. Racing around the world at 43,000 feet, you may think that the biggest threat is hitting the ground below you. When planning the route of a flight, airlines will naturally try and take the shortest route possible, the Great Circle track. The closer something is to the polar region, the less they are able to accomplish this. By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. In conclusion, the no-fly zone over Antarctica is necessary for the protection of its fragile ecosystems, wildlife, and resources, as well as its isolation from any potential military activity. For one thing, the weather and cold temperatures can play havoc with the wings of a plane. Lastly, a pilot is required to produce contingency strategies to reroute their aircraft to nearby airports during emergencies. Additionally, any scientific research carried out in Antarctica must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the relevant national treaty regime and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. More: When doctors deal with in-flight emergencies. John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Book a guide or enter a race. Many have dispusted. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to serious disciplinary action and even criminal sanctions in some cases. Yet, the South Pole is extremely difficult to fly over due to the dangerous icy conditions and mountainous terrain. . This article from AA (titled "Over the Top" by Gerard J. Arpey) says, By the way, because of the limitations of older navigation systems, none of the polar routes we fly crosses exactly over the North Pole. Enrollment required. Added to this, parts of the magnetic field deflect the incoming particles to the areas around the poles. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Flying over the North Pole is safe due to the active population centers and infrastructure in the North Pole. Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, with an average temperature around -56 C in the winter. For one thing, while the region is still sensitive militarily, we are nowhere near the levels of Cold War paranoia that pervaded the world and that region in particular for decades. Currently, the United Nations is making efforts to reach an agreement on the North Pole as part of the annual Arctic Council meeting; should an agreement be reached, each of these countries would likely have some level of access. This is another danger factor of flying over polar regions that far too often goes unnoticed - the weather and topography. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Well, the South Pole has always had a fearsome reputation, with its cold, icy, mountainous environment which is generally not very welcoming for humans. We like to think that air travel has opened up the world to the extent that everywhere is accessible. 5. I had a passenger experience a severe medical issue on a flight to Florida. The Antarctic Treaty System and its associated Agreed Measures state that all activity in the continent must be conducted under a licensing system. As the charged incoming particles hit the magnetic field, they are deflected away and are prevented from coming into contact with the atmosphere. Executives hint at an answer. Umberto Nobile was the airships designer and pilot. So, flying over the South Pole is not desirable given the harsh conditions of the region. These restrictions make travel to Antarctica difficult and the majority of people are unable to fly there. In the North Pole, the minimum temperature stays around -40 degrees C, and by lowering the altitude, pilots get the plane to a higher temperature. The poles were the last terrestrial locations that had yet to be reached by humans. You can partially thank the end of the Cold War for shaving an hour or two off of some of the world's longest flights. Occasional photo flights on chartered Qantas Boeing 747s make special trips for Antarctica flight-seeing, but the standard for Antarctic tourism remains epic voyage by ship. Studying supercomputer simulations of atmospheric . However, that is simply not the case. Tourists are requested to stay on designated paths and not to take anything away from the continent, as these would be considered exploitation of the natural resources. Learn more. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. However, some days it then turns east, and some days it turns west. All content is fact-checked before publication. No, it is not possible to go to Antarctica without permission. Even though the distance may be longer, the flight time (and subsequently the cost) will be reduced. The main reason that the South Pole is so much colder than the North Pole is because of the strength of the winds blowing around the poles. However, these limitations are being challenged, which could revolutionize air travel. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'remodelormove_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-medrectangle-3-0');The cost of the fuel required to fly over the North Pole is also higher, adding to the difficulty of navigating this route. However, in the South Pole route, the temperature stays around -60 degrees C making is next to impossible to travel in winters. Some of this radiation is useful and other types are not so useful. While this is less prominent with aircraft, it is nevertheless a consideration. 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