In addition to flight length, commercial flights may also be categorized based on other factors such as the aircraft type, the route, and the destination. For example, some airlines may categorize their flights as domestic or international, while others may use regions or continents as the basis for their flight categorization. The specific criteria used to categorize flights may vary from one airline to another, and may be based on factors such as the airline's business model, the types of aircraft it operates, and the destinations it serves.
Route category lengths tend to define
| Route category length | Nautical Mile (n mi) | Kilometres (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Short haul routes | 600 - 800 | 1100- 1500 |
| Mid-haul routes | 850 - 2150 | 1600 - 4000 |
| Long haul routes | 2200 - 2600 | 4100 - 4800 |
Distinctions
The great circle distance is the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere. It is the shortest route that can be taken between two points on the surface of the Earth and is defined by the path along the surface of the sphere that is equidistant from the two points. This is different from the straight line distance, which is the shortest distance between two points in a flat plane.
The great circle distance is often used in aviation to determine the shortest route between two locations. This is because the Earth is round and the shortest distance between two points on its surface is along a curve. The curve of the great circle route will appear to be longer when plotted on a flat map, but it is actually the shortest distance between the two points.
The actual flight length is the distance flown by the aircraft along its ground track, which may be longer than the great circle distance due to factors such as wind direction and speed, navigational restrictions, and the need to avoid bad weather. For example, an eastbound flight from Japan to North America may take a longer, more southerly route in order to take advantage of the jet stream, a fast-moving tailwind that can save time and fuel.
Air time is the elapsed time that the aircraft is airborne, regardless of the local time at the origin and destination. Schedule time, on the other hand, is the difference between the scheduled local time at the origin and the scheduled local time at the destination and is affected by local time zones. For example, a flight traveling westward will have its local clock time slowed, while a flight traveling eastward will have its local clock time sped up. However, flights over the International Date Line, located at approximately 180 degrees east in the Pacific, will add or subtract 24 hours from the schedule time depending on the direction of travel.
In summary, the great circle distance is the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere, and is often used in aviation to determine the shortest route between two locations. The actual flight length may be longer due to factors such as wind and weather, and air time is the elapsed time that the aircraft is airborne. Schedule time is the difference between the scheduled local time at the origin and destination and is affected by local time zones.