Around the world in three legs
With a range of around 8,000 nautical miles, today’s longest-range business jets can circle the planet with just two stops. Here is how it would go.
Around the world in three legs
Ultra-long range
The route
New York to Hong Kong over the top of the world, Hong Kong to London across Asia, then London home to New York. Every leg is within the range of an ultra-long-range jet such as the Bombardier Global 8000 or the Gulfstream G800, both rated at around 8,000 nautical miles.
Why over the pole?
The shortest path between two points on a sphere is a great circle. Between New York and Hong Kong that path runs far to the north, over the Arctic — which is why the route looks curved on a flat map but straight on the globe.
What it would take
Roughly 32 hours in the air in still air, before winds. On the longest leg, over 14 hours, the crew would include extra pilots so they can take turns resting, and the aircraft’s crew rest area earns its keep.
The route
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