How to find actual passenger flight paths?
Discussion
Is there a website that shows the actual flight path taken by passenger airlines?
I spent a few mins on flight radar 24 but got frustrated when it wouldn't find the flight I am trying to identify.
Basically looking for which route a flight from Heathrow to Sydney, OZ, would take.
British Airways seem to stop at Singapore and then on to Sydney.
But more interested in which countries the flight will go over.
Iran? Afghanistan? ??? Or are they directed further north to more safe air-spaces?
(I do notice that publicised tourist flight paths on the likes of operator websites or google images are generally done for advertising purposes, intentionally showing a 'safe' route, but was wanting to find what the reality of it is)
Cheers.
I spent a few mins on flight radar 24 but got frustrated when it wouldn't find the flight I am trying to identify.
Basically looking for which route a flight from Heathrow to Sydney, OZ, would take.
British Airways seem to stop at Singapore and then on to Sydney.
But more interested in which countries the flight will go over.
Iran? Afghanistan? ??? Or are they directed further north to more safe air-spaces?
(I do notice that publicised tourist flight paths on the likes of operator websites or google images are generally done for advertising purposes, intentionally showing a 'safe' route, but was wanting to find what the reality of it is)
Cheers.
It will change on a daily basis. It will depend on upper winds, air space restrictions, type of aircraft used on the day, even on what if any cargo the aircraft is carrying.
You can get a general idea from flight radar, but the actual route could be changed right up to the point of departure, and even in flight if the pilots or company decide to re-file in the air.
You can get a general idea from flight radar, but the actual route could be changed right up to the point of departure, and even in flight if the pilots or company decide to re-file in the air.
There's not a huge variation on these routes. I was on them for many years. Black Sea-Caspian Sea-Afghanistan-northern India-bay of bengal-burma-thailand-Malaysia-singers. Broadly then Bali-port hedland-ayers rock-Sydney.
Places like Afghanistan make a bit of a pinch point with fewer route options so the route is pretty similar each day, unlike many other routes.
Obviously there are other routes via BKK etc.
Places like Afghanistan make a bit of a pinch point with fewer route options so the route is pretty similar each day, unlike many other routes.
Obviously there are other routes via BKK etc.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW15/history/...
The green part of the line would be where it was being picked up by flightradar or similar.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW15
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW16
Depending on when you click on the above links it will have the actual route in the right hand side. Might be a bit gobbled-gook though if you don't know the decode of the places and waypoints. You can try and find the route names and waypoints on here. https://skyvector.com/
Into Oz, as mentioned it might go over Bali or it might go over Jakarta depending on the winds. They Flex track when the get to the Oz border and go where the winds are,ie different route every night.
The green part of the line would be where it was being picked up by flightradar or similar.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW15
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW16
Depending on when you click on the above links it will have the actual route in the right hand side. Might be a bit gobbled-gook though if you don't know the decode of the places and waypoints. You can try and find the route names and waypoints on here. https://skyvector.com/
Into Oz, as mentioned it might go over Bali or it might go over Jakarta depending on the winds. They Flex track when the get to the Oz border and go where the winds are,ie different route every night.
You could play with www.gcmap.com to get a rough idea of where the great circle route takes you. Obviously the air route will be a bit different but it's often pretty close.
Iran is fine these days. Not that it was dangerous in the past, but presumably we didn't have permission to overfly.
Not just us, I've been on Singapore Airlines flights that zig-zagged around Iran in the recent past, but did fly over Afghanistan.
BA now fly daily to Tehran and I overflew Iran with them both to and from Dubai in December.
Not just us, I've been on Singapore Airlines flights that zig-zagged around Iran in the recent past, but did fly over Afghanistan.
BA now fly daily to Tehran and I overflew Iran with them both to and from Dubai in December.
Atomic12C said:
Cheers for the replies.
So I guess there is no shred of worry needed when flying over Afghanistan with thoughts of the odd Al Qeada and Taliban individuals pointing mobile launched SAMs at a plane?
It's accounted for in terms of the weapons they have and the height you can overfly the terrain whilst in their airspace.So I guess there is no shred of worry needed when flying over Afghanistan with thoughts of the odd Al Qeada and Taliban individuals pointing mobile launched SAMs at a plane?
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Atomic12C said:
Cheers for the replies.
So I guess there is no shred of worry needed when flying over Afghanistan with thoughts of the odd Al Qeada and Taliban individuals pointing mobile launched SAMs at a plane?
I'm fairly certain mobile SAMs don't have the range to shoot down a commercial airliner in the cruise.So I guess there is no shred of worry needed when flying over Afghanistan with thoughts of the odd Al Qeada and Taliban individuals pointing mobile launched SAMs at a plane?
I'm sure someone else will confirm though.
pushthebutton said:
Atomic12C said:
Cheers for the replies.
So I guess there is no shred of worry needed when flying over Afghanistan with thoughts of the odd Al Qeada and Taliban individuals pointing mobile launched SAMs at a plane?
It's accounted for in terms of the weapons they have and the height you can overfly the terrain whilst in their airspace.So I guess there is no shred of worry needed when flying over Afghanistan with thoughts of the odd Al Qeada and Taliban individuals pointing mobile launched SAMs at a plane?
This is an airways chart for pilots showing Afghanistan.
The red lines are the airways airliners follow over Afghanistan.
The big red numbers are showing how high the mountains are in tens of thousands of feet. So the most popular airway from Europe to the east M875 has an 186 or 18600ft terrain (roughly)
Another route shows terrain unto 20,000ft
Isis apparently have Russian hand held SAMs that go up to 20,000ft easily.
Airliners will be flying around this area in the 35,000ft to 43,000ft range.
Comforting replies 
Only one little issue in the box that is left on my mind, is that of, things may not be favourable if the plane encounters a problem over such areas and needs to emergency land.
I wonder if anyone can tell that I'm not an easy flyer !
(I've been on many planes and flights but for some reason I still can't get comfortable with it - I always need a couple of 'stiff ones' before going through the boarding gate!).
Only one little issue in the box that is left on my mind, is that of, things may not be favourable if the plane encounters a problem over such areas and needs to emergency land.
I wonder if anyone can tell that I'm not an easy flyer !
(I've been on many planes and flights but for some reason I still can't get comfortable with it - I always need a couple of 'stiff ones' before going through the boarding gate!).
I flew direct Heathrow to Delhi and back just before Christmas.
Outbound we flew down to Northern Turkey and Northern Iran (got slightly nervous at this point when the Cabin crew made an announcement if there was a doctor on board!), then Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is the route a layman would expect to take, by looking at the map in an atlas.
Returning a few days later with the same airline we took a route about 1500 miles further North via Kazakhstan, over Moscow and back over Poland. On paper it looks much further and the flight time was longer (although prevailing winds have a large impact on this).
I was very surprised that the return flight-path would be so different to the outbound one.
Outbound we flew down to Northern Turkey and Northern Iran (got slightly nervous at this point when the Cabin crew made an announcement if there was a doctor on board!), then Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is the route a layman would expect to take, by looking at the map in an atlas.
Returning a few days later with the same airline we took a route about 1500 miles further North via Kazakhstan, over Moscow and back over Poland. On paper it looks much further and the flight time was longer (although prevailing winds have a large impact on this).
I was very surprised that the return flight-path would be so different to the outbound one.
Atomic12C said:
Comforting replies
Only one little issue in the box that is left on my mind, is that of, things may not be favourable if the plane encounters a problem over such areas and needs to emergency land.
It's the same concept as crossing the Atlantic, but for different reasons. Only one little issue in the box that is left on my mind, is that of, things may not be favourable if the plane encounters a problem over such areas and needs to emergency land.
Atomic12C said:
Only one little issue in the box that is left on my mind, is that of, things may not be favourable if the plane encounters a problem over such areas and needs to emergency land.
Comfort yourself with "who flies there?"Iran - BA fly to Tehran, so no issue there.
Afghanistan - Emirates fly to Kabul. Can't be that iffy can it? (I haven't checked that it's not just a codeshare)
I'd say any airport that receives mainstream airlines is not too concerning. Diverts might not be to the most well-known city or airport of course, but still....
Myself, despite many flights over the Atlantic, I'm still much more uncomfortable over water than over any kind of land.
p1stonhead said:
I flew over Iraq on the way back from the Maldives a couple years back. Great view of (what I think was) Baghdad.
Any flight to Dubai or the rest of the gulf for that matter used to fly straight through iraq, it was a bloody nightmare in the north for turbulence. The last few times I've flown we've gone over Iran which is ostensibly safer. All a knee jerk reaction to the whole Ukraine/Malaysian incident I would suggest. It does interest me that Afghanistan is still oveflyable. We all know the CIA foolishly supplied the Mujahideen with very capable weaponry that fell into the hands of nefarious groups. I don't worry about flying over anywhere except France, I work with them everyday, they're useless.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff