Originally Posted by
AZFlyer
Honest question here...flying from western US down to Australia isn't longer? Or is it that there are enough specks of sand scattered about the south Pacific with suitable airfields that keeps those flights close to 'land'?
No, US to Hawaii is the longest ETOPS route for any twin. The South Pacific is full of available airports. It's not the longest flight, just the longest "ETOPS" segment. Still no big deal. I think there are more impressive ETOPS flight, such as the Polar flights. I used to do NY to China over the North Pole area.