When travelling to Johannesburg, South Africa from Sydney, Australia you fly over Antarctica. Believe it or not this is the shortest distance between the two cities on two different continents. The flight path is what is called a “Great Circle” track. This means it is the shortest distance between the points and along the way there needs to be constant heading changes. For instance when you leave Sydney you travel SW (see image below.) However when arriving on the African continent you are travelling in a NW direction. Don’t believe me? Take a piece if string and hold it between Johannesburg and Sydney on a spherical globe and pull it tight.
Flying over Antarctica is spectacular. Mostly polar weather has Antarctica in cloud but occasionally you will be blessed with an absolutely amazing view of the ice shelf and accompanying icebergs. Also there is opportunity to see Mawson’s hut if your lucky.
