Air India breaks record for world's longest flight

[FL370 Officeboy]

Originally Posted by fireflybob

Air India breaks record for world's longest flight - by swapping direction of Delhi-San Francisco service

I find this article somewhat confusing as the great circle track DEL-SFO gives statute miles of 7,706. Is there some reason such as diplomatic clearances or enroute alternates why they would not fly the shortest time route over the pole, subject to winds?

Great Circle Mapper

A 777 would need ETOPS alternates and I expect there wouldn't be too many of those straight over the pole!