PEK Flights - Routing

Noxegon

I asked this in the FR24 thread a few days ago but it got no answer.

I've noticed that all the DUB-PEK flights don't go onto the Great Circle route to Beijing until they've crossed the UK, yet the ones going the other way appear to take a more direct path. Can someone who knows such things offer any insights as to why they're doing this?

Inquitus

Yep interesting question!

IngazZagni

One possibility is the jetstream which typically goes east. So flying east you want to ride the jetstream as much as possible but coming west you want to avoid it as much as possible hence coming in from a more northerly direction.

Bsal

Probably got to do with the standard routes through UK airspace which can be found in the Standard Route Document NATS publish

Two possible reasons. First, U.K. mil activity in the North Sea not allowing flight planning through there. Second, there has been a strong westbound wind in the upper levels overhead the U.K. for the last few days, it might just be more economical to go east before joining the “great circle” route.

a clanger

Its not like the Atlantic NATS tracks. Its full radar the whole way passing through multiple FIR on standard airways. There is a 'north' route and a south route depending on wind. The former takes you over Ulan Batar

UK has yet to adopt "Free Route Airspace", so FPL must follow standard routes in UK airspace

Noxegon

Deleted User wrote: »

UK has yet to adopt "Free Route Airspace", so FPL must follow standard routes in UK airspace

I guess the question I have is why they go that way at all – they don't for the return journey, which comes in over Finland.

Does the standard route through the UK only apply eastbound?

PinOnTheRight

Noxegon wrote: »

I guess the question I have is why they go that way at all – they don't for the return journey, which comes in over Finland.

Does the standard route through the UK only apply eastbound?

Certainly through the UK, they can file eastbound further north similar to the inbound routing if they wish.

Sometimes it’s best not to question why LIDO flight planning comes up with what it does because nobody knows