Airplanes often fly along curved routes rather than straight lines, primarily due to the Earth's spherical shape. A straight path on a flat map, known as a "geodesic," doesn't represent the shortest distance in reality. Instead, the shortest route, called a "great circle route," appears curved on flat projections like the Mercator map. This method saves fuel, time, and resources, optimizing air travel.
Additionally, flight paths consider weather conditions, air traffic, and safety protocols, influencing the curved trajectories seen on maps.
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Why do airplanes fly in a curve, Great circle routes in aviation, Airplane flight path explanation, Curved flight routes, How airplanes navigate, Shortest flight routes explanation, Air travel optimization, Flight paths and the Earth's curvature, Jet stream and flight efficiency, Aviation science for travelers
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