Flight paths from UK to WI?
 

When flying to the West Indies from the UK, do aircraft still "hug" the east coast of the US, like they do for Florida? Would that be the same for the most eastern of the isles, like Trinidad & Tobago. As a "soon-to-be" traveller, would there be any advantage of having a window seat on the right-hand side, or is the ETOPS flight path too far away from the coast?

I didn't see any land when I flew to Tobago (almost the last flight of a BA DC10, now 777s on this route). Check out Great Circle Mapper to get some idea of the route (actual routing can vary greatly, of course).

Mrs PV and I loved Tobago - wonderful beaches, nice people (and very safe compared to what I hear of some other WI locations) and amazing wildlife (I'm no twitcher, but I always travel with the bins in the hope of seeing something interesting).

Have a great time!

Thanks PV, not seen the "mapper" site before.

Actually going to Negril and Ochos Rios, Jamaica!

When I went to MBJ (Montego Bay) with BA some years ago, it was out across the briny in a 74 (can't recall which series). We bounced at Hamilton, Bermuda. The flight actually concluded at KINgston. So, on the return, we started with the hop to KIN.

If you are coast hugging to Florida, might that be ETOPS? My only trip there was an internal from EWR.

No the routing goes out towards Lands End way and thats about the last you'll see of terra firma until you reach the Caribbean. 3hr ETOPS means you don't have to be anywhere particularly close to land anymore.

Newswatcher
Can also agree with what Hand Solo said --the last bit of land we saw was Lands End and it was dark as we landed into Kingston at 1700 hrs their time,we went in 1999 with BA on a brand new 777 ----it gets dark very early there unfortunately( like tea time !)we stayed in Ocho rios, be very careful about walking around at night off complex, most have guards at the gates for protection of guest ---still a lovely place people friendly and you can drink the tap water with no probs at all!Have a good time!

Thanks guys, replies much appreciated.