Transatlantic routes

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sn26567
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Transatlantic routes

Post by sn26567 »

DL43 and SN501, both flying from BRU to JFK today at approximately the same time, have taken quite different routes over the Atlantic, Delta flying much more North than SN.

Can someone explain why? The winds are the same for everybody!
André
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jan_olieslagers
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Re: Transatlantic routes

Post by jan_olieslagers »

I don't know, perhaps a difference in assigned flight level / altitude?

Homo Aeroportus
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Location: 2300NM due South of North Pole

Re: Transatlantic routes

Post by Homo Aeroportus »

So many flights across the pond for the assigned tracks.

Screenshot 2018-08-10 18.59.29.png
Green lines are the Westbound tracks for 10AUG 1130-1900Z
Blue lines are for 11AUG 0100-0800Z.


Below is a screenshot from FR24 at 1900Z for flights into KJFK, and this is only the late wave and only into KJFK.
Just add the flights to all other NAM destinations ...
Screenshot 2018-08-10 19.03.27.png

Amazing.

H.A.

DIBO
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Joined: 28 Mar 2009, 14:54

Re: Transatlantic routes

Post by DIBO »

sn26567 wrote: 10 Aug 2018, 17:38 DL43 and SN501, both flying from BRU to JFK today at approximately the same time, have taken quite different routes over the Atlantic, Delta flying much more North than SN.
SN got a much better cruising level out of this, FL370 compared to FL340 and mid-atlantic FL320 for DL until it got out of 'Gander Oceanic'. So probably some oceanic track congestion also played a role in the decision making.

AlexC
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Joined: 23 Oct 2018, 09:18

Re: Transatlantic routes

Post by AlexC »

Hi,
So lets start with the first statement:
DL43 and SN501, both flying from BRU to JFK today at approximately the same time, have taken quite different routes over the Atlantic, Delta flying much more North than SN.....

Sure they will at a slight diferent Latitude. If you take 2 Aircraft departing at paralel runnaways at the same exact speed they could never take the exact same route otherwise they would crash latest by the time they reach the same altitude. This is obviously never happening because, even on a pararel runnaway departure your STARS and SIDS ( Departure routes and approach routes) are diferent.
So with this in mind,you quickly understand that they could never fly exactly the same line otherwise they would eventually crash ( this if they start and fly exactly at the same time).
Second point, the Vertical and Lateral separation on the north atlantic routes ! Most of these routes are predifined and planned. I guess if 2 aircraft fly the same route they would have to keep Vertical and Lateral separation in order to do so and if they fly at the same time, I guess a horizontal/ lateral minima, would be the best option.

I cannot tell you how far that can be, but i am sure their operations team take that in consideration.
The north atlantic Traffic is however ruled and organized so I would not expect 2 aircraft flying exactly the same route with less then a few miles of separation.

Next point:
Can someone explain why? The winds are the same for everybody!

I would not be very sure of that, and depending on the time of the year they could be flying above, under or in the centre of JET streams. Temperature and wind speed and direction vary massively and are obviously taken in consideration on your flight planning.

hope this helps.

BR
Alex
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