Direct flights mean you board a/c at the departure airport and get off at the destination with no stops (whether you get off or not) in between. Marketing departments have nothing to do what track the a/c takes, great circle or whatever. No press release would ever differentiate what track the a/c takes.
Maui, you probably didn't mean but the way you worded your post showed a complete misunderstanding of direct/great circle tracks. As would be expected in a novice pilots response. Hence noips explanation re great circle, only trying to help. Talk about a misunderstanding.
Not sure if it has been approved or if CASA would approve it but Boeing was trying to certify the 777-300ER to 330 min etops, this would allow great circle track SYD or MEL to Joburg. Also 4 engine etops comes into effect in 2015, not sure what effect that will have on 4 eng ops.
Last edited by MrWooby; 18th Aug 2009 at 07:18.