Additionally, Antarctica currently has no permanent population due to an international agreement called the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed in 1959 and established Antarctica as a scientific preserve dedicated to peace and science. This route uses Earths curvature to minimize fuel costs and minimize the flight time. Specifically, these special flights must be supported by ground teams stationed at various places along the flight path equipped with oxygen tanks and medical equipment. As the aircraft gets closer to the Pole, the magnetic compass becomes less reliable as the position of the aircraft relative to the Pole is changing so quickly. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. The magnetic field everywhere is what we call a "vector" quantity. The Antarctic Treaty System and its associated Agreed Measures state that all activity in the continent must be conducted under a licensing system. We only use the As a result of this gap in the shield, a greater amount of radiation gets into the earth's atmosphere at the poles than at the equator. Well, the South Pole has always had a fearsome reputation, with its cold, icy, mountainous environment which is generally not very welcoming for humans. Such as pilots and flight attendants. Plane's depend on infrastructure like air control towers and airports, which the North Pole lack. The First Flight Over the North Pole The early 20 th century saw a time of extensive polar exploration. The most popular way to fly to Antarctica is the Fly-Cruise option, which is popular with tourists. Erebus, the second-largest mountain in Antarctica. Despite air traffic controller guidance, the suddenly changing weather of Antarctica still makes flying over the continent very difficult. In short, while it is not technically impossible, many factors work to make trips to these regions potential tragedies in the making. Why is it difficult to fly over the North Pole? Militaries from countries such as the US and Russia have planes and crews that are outfitted for the areas extreme cold. I have no idea if this switch is operational in MSFS, or if so, whether it has the desired effect. For one thing, there must be at least two cold weather anti-exposure suits on the aircraft. Yes, planes do fly over Mount Everest. Flying over the North Pole is safe due to the active population centers and infrastructure in the North Pole. Simply board a flight, and you can be there in hours. A survey of flight attendants in Europe and North America also found higher rates of skin, breast and prostate cancer, as well as acute myeloid leukemia than the average person. Robert's articles have been published in major publications, including Insider, Trip Savvy, ZDNet, and Bored Panda. The exact routes vary depending on the airline, but most commercial flights will take a northern or southern route to avoid the higher traffic volumes in the more populated regions. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. The poles were the last terrestrial locations that had yet to be reached by humans. Finally, Antarctica is protected by the Antarctic Treaty System, which prohibits almost all military activity on the continent. According to aviation experts, flying over the North Pole is extremely technical and requires skill and experience. Hence, flying over the North Pole reduces flight time. We do not tend to launch rockets or missiles close to the top of the Earth. And you can see the planned routes for different flights, incl. Q: There is an Emirates Airbus 380 flight that flies from Dubai to Los Angeles. So, its not possible to land, refuel, and conduct repairs on the North Pole. If the aircraft was just sitting on that cloud with you, the surfaces would chill to minus 67 degrees Fahrenheit, as would fuel in the wings. World's longest nonstop flight: Tickets now on sale. Transpolar flights have been in operation since the 1950s but the benefits of flying commercial jets over the pole were outweighed by the risks; until only recently. However, have you ever thought of whats hitting the aircraft from above? Global warming is continuing to have noticeable effects on the ice of Earth's poles. However, the amount of radiation in the upper atmosphere remains higher than on the ground. Contrary to what the scientists were expecting, the study found that it wasn't the duration of the flight but the route which has the greatest effect on cosmic radiation exposure. Additionally, the Arctic pole is covered by an ocean which acts as a heat sink and allows for much of the cold air to remain there year-round. Additionally, there are no airports in Antarctica that are able to support commercial flights, meaning the only way to reach the continent is by boat. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. When on a long-haul flight, you might not think of flying over the North Pole, but doing so can cut flight time down to a fraction of what it might take to fly directly in an east-west direction. As an avid traveler, now that you've flown over the North Pole, flying over the South Pole is certainly on your bucket list. Many carriers take advantage of what is sometimes called "Santa's Shortcut" as a way to cut flight hours and fuel costs. This isn't because the pilots are lost, its because it is actually the most direct route. Additionally, Antarctica is home to huge reserves of oil and minerals, which must be protected from human exploitation. When a plane does fly over the arctic the pilot will often descend to an altitude of around 10,000 feet, this is done to prevent fuel from . Even more important than saving money is saving the environment. Be sure to grab a window seat if youre flying from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, as its not only travelers to East Asia who are privy to Arctic sights; routes to the Middle East from the West Coast also often pass over the area near the North Pole. All of that is lacking in the case of Antarctica. To Reduce Flight Hours Flying over the North Pole is known as the geodesic, or great circle route, and it is the shortest route between two far away locations, like Oslo in Norway to Toronto in Canada. Yes, there are flights over the poles. Whilst cosmic radiation should not be of concern to most passengers, its an occupational hazard of the job for the crew. Finally, there is also the fact that being so near the poles can also create problems with your ability to communicate with others via radio. This can add to the cost and hassle for airlines, adding yet another reason why they are reluctant to fly over the North Pole. As for landing, every plane is certified to be able to fly a certain time away from a runway (for twin engine planes, it's called ETOPS--you can look it up). Some of it is mountainous, which poses extra flight challenges. The magnetic field extends out thousands of miles into space where it acts as a shield against incoming radiation. Richard Byrd (left) with Floyd Bennett, in front of their Fokker Tri-motor "Josephine Ford" before their flight over the North Pole on May 9, 1926. Flights over the South Pole and Antarctica are also relatively uncommon and dangerous for the same reasons. Ice forms on a planes wings in extreme temperatures when small cloud droplets freeze over the planes wings. Needless to say, this is not an expenditure that most commercial airliners would be willing to make. When renowned explorer Richard E. Byrd returned from the first-ever flight to the North Pole in 1926, he sparked a controversy that remains today. The wing material also has an effect on this chilling. Flying over the poles isn't "over" or "under." Any route a plane takes is over the globe. Fiji straddles the 180-degree line of longitude, and the most direct track passes directly over the North Pole - though because of the distance, over 10,000 miles, the payload would need to be . Read more: How a flying cadet graduates to a fully qualified pilot. 1. This is not performed alone, however, as it requires special support and assistance. However, some of the most time and fuel-efficient flight routes take aircraft well into the Arctic Circle and close to the North Pole. Why Dont Planes Fly Over the Kaaba and Mecca? The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Only a LEO satellite has any real reason to be over the poles. More: When doctors deal with in-flight emergencies. So, flying over the South Pole is not desirable given the harsh conditions of the region. Flying over the North Pole is known as a great circle route, and is the shortest distance between two points on the globe. Air India on Sunday become the 19th airline in the world to fly its plane over the North Pole. Q: When crossing the North Pole, are there any interferences with navigation instruments? As the aircraft climbs, the outside air temperature decreases. Fortunately, they do not need to listen to the painful static for the whole flight. In addition near the magnetic north pole compasses are nearly useless due to "dip" in the needle amongst other things. We did everything we could to get her to medical care safely and quickly. Communications can also be problematic. An aircraft must carry at least two cold weather anti-exposure suits. Conspiracy theorists assert that explorers have seen the inner Earth first hand when flying over the pole. There are even FAA regulations for flying over the North Pole for pilots who want to fly over the region. That said, the threat of radiation over the poles does not alter how pilots fly their aircraft. By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 3 Reasons Why Planes Fly Over the North Pole 1. The Jet A-1 powering the engines has a freezing point of minus 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so why doesnt the fuel freeze when its minus 67 degrees Fahrenheit outside? In Arctic areas, it can get even colder, minus 97 degrees Fahrenheit over Siberia is my personal record. The speed of air over the wings creates friction, which actually heats the surfaces. Currently, the United Nations is making efforts to reach an agreement on the North Pole as part of the annual Arctic Council meeting; should an agreement be reached, each of these countries would likely have some level of access. This eliminates a lot of the incentive for commercial air travel. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. But transpolar flight wasn't always so common, or so safe. Navigating in both polar regions requires some preparation or it becomes extremely challenging. To Reduce Flight Distance There are also some hazards associated with flying in the vicinity of the north pole. As a result, no single country owns the North Pole or the surrounding Arctic area. All visitors must land on the continent with the permission of their own government and must abide by the Antarctic Treaty System regulations in place, which are designed to protect both travelers and the environment. The North Pole doesnt haven any permanent infrastructure, which airplanes need to safely fly, take off, and land. Radiation exposure in the North Pole also increases further at higher altitudes. Flight no AI-176, steered by all-women cockpit crew achieved this historic feat. Some people believe there are undiscovered forms of life living in subglacial lakes and caverns, but no scientific evidence has ever been found that supports this. For the average passenger, there is little to worry about. On the other hand, these severe limitations can make it feel that way. A: No, flight management computers are rigorously tested for any issues crossing the North or South Pole or the international dateline. For example, by some estimates, a polar route may be able to shave as many as four hours off a flight from New York to Hong Kong. A study by NASA found that polar flights during the solar storm of 2003 we exposed to 12% of the annual radiation limit recommended by the International Committee on Radiological Protection. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Take an average spring day out of London where its 59 degrees Fahrenheit. I do not think it could be done much faster. No matter what route your flight takes, your pilots will ensure that you arrive safely at your destination -- leaving you blissfully unaware of the challenges such flying poses. A: Some routes from North America fly over or near the North Pole because it is faster than flying the traditional tracks to Asia. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Flying over Antarctica is even more remote, and the demand is lower. To ensure that there is no conflict between the two sets of tracks, the polar tracks are well north of the airspace used by the North Atlantic tracks. You can also visit the North Pole by traveling overland from Russia or Canada, typically by skiing, dragging a sled called a "pulk," and camping on the ice. However, unlike the North Atlantic tracks which move in location depending on the winds, the polar tracks are fixed. So, flying geodesic flights result in shorter travel distances than if a flight went over the Atlantic Ocean. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Because we do not live there, and because it looks white and smooth on a map or globe, we tend to stereotype the polar regions as being as such. Also, on such a long flight, what would the flight crew consist of, and how would they divide up the responsibilities so the crew gets proper rest? If I was to tell you that a typical TAT value at 38,000 feet is just minus 6 degrees Fahrenheit, youll now be able to understand why the fuel doesnt freeze. So how does this radiation affect us and how do pilots fly these remote routes? Losing both can be calamitous. It is in effect the "top" of the earth. Two pilots are always on duty, and they divide the duties to ensure both are involved in the navigation and communication requirements. Studying supercomputer simulations of atmospheric . If this happens, the crew have two options. This makes it illegal for any military presence in the continent. Yet, the South Pole is extremely difficult to fly over due to the dangerous icy conditions and mountainous terrain. Still, not just any airplane can make the long trip up and over the top of the world. (Library of Congress/Getty Images)) Icy winds swept across Spitsbergen, an island group on the Arctic Circle north of Norway. The location's isolation makes it hard for planes to communicate with flight controllers. 2. Despite all those problems, however, there is potential for polar flights to be a thing of the future, and there are a few reasons why they may defy the odds yet. North Pole in Luxury. The main reason for this is because Antarctica is a geographic environment that is not ideal for aircraft. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Polar weather remains icy cold, but the political climate has thawed since the fall of the Soviet . For this example, lets say the fuel is also 59 degrees Fahrenheit. This is called the static air temperature, or SAT. 5. You can do this either by booking a private guide or entering a race. However, this did not account for all of the potential dangers listed above, and in 1979, this resulted in disaster when an airplane crashed into Mt. Because we do not live there, and because it looks white and smooth on a map or globe, we tend to stereotype the polar regions as being as such. The discovery of this subglacial lake inspires renewed enthusiasm for exploration of the vast continent of Antarctica and provides valuable insight into what lies beneath the ice. However, as the polar tracks are less busy than the North Atlantic ones, pilots can normally plan on flying the track at the altitude and speed of their choice, normally those optimum for the flight. Geodesic navigation reduces the flight distance because the distance is objectively shorter in real life (such as when looking at and comparing distances when looking at a 3D map rather than a 2D map). Its possible that this type of study may even uncover more subglacial lakes that are smaller and more difficult to detect. The air at that altitude is cold and thin whether you are flying over the north pole or the equator, which is why planes are pressurized and heated. So, pilots flying over Antarctica have to rely on constant contact with air traffic controllers to guide them. This is another danger factor of flying over polar regions that far too often goes unnoticed the weather and topography. While it is problematic to fly over the polar regions for the reasons stated, and the routes may not always be the most lucrative, they are nevertheless the straightest lines in a few cases. Most time and fuel-efficient flight routes take aircraft well into the Arctic North! 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