Transatlantic Flights and Pressure Patterns

PASSENGERS on a transoceanic flight' often speculate as to why a particular route is being followed, and the topic apparently remains of interest long after the flight has been completed. Equipped with just a little information about the nature of the problem of route selection and its solution, most airline passengers can enjoy a much enhanced experience in an ocean crossing and gain a great deal of satisfaction from the more intelligent use of the fine route maps provided by the major airlines. Only generalized route lines are shown for long-distance flights because, as the passengers of one airline are advised, "you will seldom fly twice along the same route over long distances (except on established airways over certain land areas)." A number of "factors often make different paths faster or more comfortable."2 The following discussion is offered in the hope of providing a means for those who wish to