barit1 said:
generally distance courses assume a great circle distance. BUT - going the long way around must mean (at least) two great circle segments with a fixed waypoint.
That doesn't make sense. Just because they are not flying the shortest route dosen't mean they can't fly a single great circle. There is no logic behind what you are saying. Of course the east bound great circle from HGK to LHR is shorter than the westbound great circle.