In short, while it is not technically impossible, many factors work to make trips to these regions potential tragedies in the making. However, if you've ever flown from London to the west coast of the U.S. and watched the moving map, you will have noticed that the flight initially routes north toward Scotland. As the radiation depends more on the route than the altitude, there is little we as pilots can do to reduce the exposure when flying these routes. The composite structure of the 787 Dreamliner wing means that it cools far slower than a conventional aluminum wing resulting in much warmer fuel temperatures. Added to this, parts of the magnetic field deflect the incoming particles to the areas around the poles. But transpolar flight wasn't always so common, or so safe. "Flying through the North Pole is very challenging and airline companies send their best and experienced pilots on this route. Q: There is an Emirates Airbus 380 flight that flies. Accept you can't. Aviation rules don't forbid it though they do make it more difficult. Are North Koreans Allowed to Travel Abroad? There are also other major reasons why flying over Antarctica is dangerous: Antarctica has a very hostile climate that makes it unsuitable for human activities, including flight. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Unlike the magnetic North Pole, the true North Pole doesn't move. As the charged incoming particles hit the magnetic field, they are deflected away and are prevented from coming into contact with the atmosphere. Either fly faster to increase the heating effect of the air or descend into warmer air. The lack of airports for diversions, extreme weather and navigation challenges are a few of the considerations. 17.03.2022. All rights reserved. Losing either of these things is extremely dangerous. Pilots simply pick up the Sat phone, dial a number and can be connected to any telephone in the world in an instant. This route is called a geodesic or great circle route. A: Transpolar routes are increasingly used. flown from London to the west coast of the U.S. take advantage of (or to avoid) strong winds, Heres what it takes to pass the captain test for a major airline, consideration has to be given to diversion airfields, Perfect landing: How pilots avoid colliding with the ground in tricky situations, In Arctic areas, it can get even colder, minus 97 degrees Fahrenheit over Siberia is my personal record, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is the temperature youd feel if you were stood on a passing cloud. Even better, these savings can be passed on to passengers. If you look at the image above, you'll see that the magnetic field is thickest at the equator and virtually nonexistent at the poles. In conclusion, the no-fly zone over Antarctica is necessary for the protection of its fragile ecosystems, wildlife, and resources, as well as its isolation from any potential military activity. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Though there is much mystery surrounding the frozen continent, researchers have yet to uncover any evidence of an unknown world hidden beneath Antarctica. The main reason why humans cannot live on Antarctica is the climate. You can partially thank the end of the Cold War for shaving an hour or two off of some of the world's longest flights. Planes are using gyrocompasses which in fact are unable to follow true north about poles. What to Do If Flight Prices Decrease After Booking. Why is it difficult to fly over the North Pole? ETOPS governs how far away twin-engine jets can fly from an airport they can land at. The Antarctic pole also experiences significantly less direct sunlight and reflects away more of the suns rays due to its altitude and snow-covered surface, causing temperatures to be much colder than the Arctic. Launching into a polar orbit is more difficult than launching into an equatorial orbit, due to the motion of the Earth. According to aviation experts, flying over the North Pole is extremely technical and requires skill and experience. Furthermore, with military activity being sensitive in these regions, aircraft flying there would have to deal with the added scrutiny that comes with that. Clearly, we do not need polar routes to do so. To ensure that there is no conflict between the two sets of tracks, the polar tracks are well north of the airspace used by the North Atlantic tracks. While this is less prominent with aircraft, it is nevertheless a consideration. Why don't we fly over the South Pole? So how does this radiation affect us and how do pilots fly these remote routes? Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'remodelormove_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',158,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Through UNCLOS, these countries are each able to claim a 200-nautical mile EEZ (exclusive economic zone) from their northern territories, allowing them to control the fishing, oil, and gas resources found within it. TPG values it at $1,600. It is possible that, if flying for prolonged periods in extremely cold air masses, the fuel temperature could drop toward the freezing point. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_orbit To fly over the North Pole, you need to satisfy several FAA requirements, ranging from mandatory equipment to navigational requirements. As a result, commercial aircraft and other aircraft are prohibited landing or flying over Antarctica, unless a specific permit has been granted. For example, trips to Antarctica once seemed like they had the potential to become another popular tourist destination. All content is fact-checked before publication. It is this TAT value that is chilling the wings and thus affecting the fuel temperature. published 15 April 2013 A historical photo of the Josephine Ford, the airplane used by Admiral Byrd for his effort to be the first to fly over the North Pole, on May 9, 1926. Why Planes Fly Over the North Pole but Not the South Pole: With Sam Denby. 5. It's all around us and is, for the most part, unavoidable. Finally, there are additional regulations that airlines must adhere to when flying over the North Pole. The lab-leak theory has been strongly rejected by China. Airlines are flying up to 40% longer routes to avoid Russia, with one handing out 'diplomas' to passengers flying over the North Pole. The reduced flight time and flight distance from geodesic navigation also results in less fuel being used, which reduces fuel costs. If passengers need immediate care, how quickly can/would a plane land? If a plane lands in Antarctica, it will have no access to assistance or infrastructure, which makes flying especially risky. A system called SELCAL enables the crew to turn the volume off when they are not communicating with ATC. A: Some routes from North America fly over or near the North Pole because it is faster than flying the traditional tracks to Asia. Occasional photo flights on chartered Qantas Boeing 747s make special trips for Antarctica flight-seeing, but the standard for Antarctic tourism remains epic voyage by ship. While there are some commercial flights that go over the continent, none of them actually land there. For the most part, this is the type of radiation we put up with day to day, utilizing the benefits to rapidly heat food in our microwaves and give our skin a much sought-after sun-kissed glow. But after a break of almost 30 years, there were a lot of details that needed to be carefully planned. Richard E. Byrd and Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Bennett won the race to fly over the North Pole, a daring expedition that earned them rare peacetime Medals of Honor. Robert is a seasoned flyer who knows more about commercial air travel than practically anyone else out there due to the decades he has been involved in the travel industry, and time spent at airports and on planes over the years for work. Enrollment required. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. At the Pole, an airplane's compass changes from a due-north heading to due south, and that change of course could potentially lead to . Finally, there is also the fact that being so near the poles can also create problems with your ability to communicate with others via radio. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. For one thing, while the region is still sensitive militarily, we are nowhere near the levels of Cold War paranoia that pervaded the world and that region in particular for decades. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The First Flight Over the North Pole The early 20 th century saw a time of extensive polar exploration. Over the polar regions, due to inversions where cold air is trapped nearer to the surface, the air at lower altitudes may actually be colder than that at higher altitudes. Its believed that Lake Mercer is isolated from other bodies of water and its ancient waters are likely still very clean and pure, which is why it is an exciting target for scientists to study. In conclusion, yes it is possible to fly over the North Pole, but its uncommon because of how dangerous it is at least if talking about flying directly over the North Pole. Cosmic radiation is all around us, but its effects are seen more at altitude, and particularly at the Poles, than on the ground. However, many myths and legends have been woven around this isolated continent. The geographic poles are defined to be the places where the earth's rotation axis crosses the surface of the earth, and the magnetic poles are the places where the magnetic field points straight into or out of the earth's surface. Planes depend on infrastructure like air control towers and airports, which the North Pole lack. Cosmic forecasting Very few passengers check the space weather when they fly, but airlines do. Since Antarctica has no infrastructure, its not possible to land planes there during emergencies, so its undesirable to fly over it. Studying supercomputer simulations of atmospheric . Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. The Arctic pole is generally considered to be colder than the Antarctic pole. If anything goes wrong, there is less of an opportunity to notice and correct things. These included flights to Los Angeles from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. And you can see the planned routes for different flights, incl. Antarctica is devoid of any of those. Since the Arctic is one of the least populated regions on Earth, the great circle route avoids potentially crowded airspace and allows airlines to reduce pollution due to the altitude at which aircraft is able to fly. In some instances they have varied flight paths to lower latitudes because of predicted solar. However, unlike the North Atlantic tracks which move in location depending on the winds, the polar tracks are fixed. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. The North Pole doesnt haven any permanent infrastructure, which airplanes need to safely fly, take off, and land. Lastly, a pilot is required to produce contingency strategies to reroute their aircraft to nearby airports during emergencies. Yet, the South Pole is extremely difficult to fly over due to the dangerous icy conditions and mountainous terrain. All research activities are monitored and regulated to keep Antarcticas fragile ecosystem protected and preserved. However, it would present an occupational hazard for pilots and attendants as they are exposed to high levels of radiation. Air France and KLM followed this trail in 1957, KLM also with the DC-7C and Air France with the Lockheed L-1649 Starliner. The duration of our visit is largely determined by weather . This also happens in the Arctic, but winds surrounding the North Pole are not as strong. It is the first lake of its kind to be discovered in Antarctica since Lake Vostok was found in 2013. There is greater exposure to radiation when flying routes over the Poles than those closer to the equator. However, as the polar tracks are less busy than the North Atlantic ones, pilots can normally plan on flying the track at the altitude and speed of their choice, normally those optimum for the flight. The main reason for this is because Antarctica is a geographic environment that is not ideal for aircraft. The discovery was of an active, subglacial lake, now known as Lake Mercer. Simply board a flight, and you can be there in hours. Currently, the United Nations is making efforts to reach an agreement on the North Pole as part of the annual Arctic Council meeting; should an agreement be reached, each of these countries would likely have some level of access. On the one hand, as demonstrated here, it is not impossible to fly near the North Pole. When on a long-haul flight, you might not think of flying over the North Pole, but doing so can cut flight time down to a fraction of what it might take to fly directly in an east-west direction. Planes flying in the North Pole, thus, need to have equipment that can compensate for this as best as possible. It could also be beneficial for other routes. Only four-engine airplanes could fly such a route because of the diversion airport requirement for twin-engine airplanes. Aircraft that flew closer to the North Pole experienced greater radiation than those flying more southerly routes, even if they were airborne for longer. The result is that flight attendants flying over the North Pole experience as much radiation per trip as if they had their chest x-rayed. These strong magnetic fields surround polar regions and impact the magnetic navigational equipment onboard of planes, making navigation difficult. It sampled 15 of the longest commercial flights in operation, including four of which flew over the Arctic. The DGCA circular said "any operator wishing to obtain Polar authorization must submit an application with all supporting data to it, addressing all the regulatory requirements for Polar operations". This means that by the time it reaches 35,000 feet, the outside temperature will be minus 67 degrees Fahrenheit. For the A380 flight from Dubai to San Francisco Emirates flew directly over the North Pole, we are able to reach pretty much every other point, flights are already among the longest in the world. Specifically, these special flights must be supported by ground teams stationed at various places along the flight path equipped with oxygen tanks and medical equipment. Time will tell whether polar travel becomes more common. Many have dispusted. On the contrary, obviously the closer you get to extreme cold such as this, the fewer the towns and the less populous they are. is a senior first officer on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with over 10,000 hours of flying experience, both around Europe on the A320 family and worldwide on the B787. . Generally, flights from Europe to North America will take a northerly route over Greenland and Canada, while flights from North America to Asia will take a southerly route over Alaska and Russia. All of that is lacking in the case of Antarctica. To ensure the preservation of the continents delicate environment, the international community has deemed it appropriate to impose a no-fly zone over the entire continent. Consequently, the no-fly zone has been established. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Additionally, any scientific research carried out in Antarctica must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the relevant national treaty regime and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. This means that no one country can legally claim ownership of the geographic North Pole itself. No matter what route your flight takes, your pilots will ensure that you arrive safely at your destination -- leaving you blissfully unaware of the challenges such flying poses. Similar to highways in the sky, these are set routes airplanes follow between points, tied to altitudes and geographic coordinates. It is in effect the "top" of the earth. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Still, not just any airplane can make the long trip up and over the top of the world. In addition to the introduction of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, which eliminated the need for fuel stops in Alaska along the way, Boeing notes that polar routes only became popular in the 2000s thanks to increased access to Russian airspace, the gradual liberalization of bilateral agreements, and growing demand for international service to and from China. Put simply? It isnt that planes cant fly over these polar regions, its simply that there are technological, political, and logistical reasons preventing it. Whilst this isnt a problem for individual flights, it could start to pose problems for those who fly these routes frequently. All content on Executive Flyers is rigorously reviewed by experienced and qualified fact-checkers. Since Antarctica has been almost completely inaccessible until recently, theories about the unknown have abounded. Along with the radiation issues, flying over the North Pole presents some safety issues, in part because of the lack of places to land in an emergency (a concern when flying over the Pacific Ocean . Even with polar routes not being common, we are able to reach pretty much every other point on the planet by plane. Nominally by 35 degrees Fahrenheit every 1,000 feet. However, the amount of radiation in the upper atmosphere remains higher than on the ground. Pilots also need to be aware of and plan for these problems. Q: How often are transpolar routes utilized today, and why were they a big deal when first introduced? Yes, planes do fly over the North Pole to save time. Fast Fact H0H 0H0 When flying in the vicinity of the North Pole, that switch needs to be set to TRUE to change the heading reference from magnetic north to true north. Tips and tricks from our travel experts along with the latest news from airlines, hotels, loyalty programs, and more, delivered to your inbox weekly, The 8 Best Business-Class Seats in the Worldand How to Book Them With Points and Miles, The Smartest Ways to Spend Your Points and Miles This Month, Saudi Arabias New Stopover Flight Visa Includes a Free Night at a Hotel, Why This Little-Known German Carrier Is Worth Booking for Your Summer Travels to Europe, A Letter from the Arctic: Hello From the Frozen North. If you're curious to know why planes fly . There are technological, political, and logistical reasons that prevent planes from flying over the polar regions. Conspiracy theorists assert that explorers have seen the inner Earth first hand when flying over the pole. All Antarctic expeditions must have a leader who has the appropriate qualifications and experience, and any individual embarking on the trip must have a valid passport and appropriate visas. Despite air traffic controller guidance, the suddenly changing weather of Antarctica still makes flying over the continent very difficult. Unfortunately, when flying above 82 degrees north, SATCOM is unavailable. However, the aircraft isnt stationary. Its surprisingly faster (by around two hours), and a smoother flight than heading out over the oceanwith the bonus of a rare peek at the high Arctic. History of polar routes. For an even better view, because of their pioneering spirit, some brave pilots have chosen to fly higher than the commercial flights and have even flown above the summit of Mount Everest. Many areas are melting away, and as a result, 35% of the North Pole has disappeared since the year 1970. In addition, pilots need to undergo specific training for the routes they take and the weather patterns they are likely to face. Read more: Heres what it takes to pass the captain test for a major airline. Flights over the South Pole and Antarctica are also relatively uncommon and dangerous for the same reasons. Apart from the snowstorms that cause visibility problems, Antarcticas strong magnetic fields also affect navigational equipment. Back in 1983, Finnair was the first airline to fly non-stop from Europe to Japan, flying over the North Pole - so operating in the polar region is not new to Finnair. But that simply is not true, with one of the most famous limitations being the North and South Poles. A study by NASA found that polar flights during the solar storm of 2003 we exposed to 12% of the annual radiation limit recommended by the International Committee on Radiological Protection. It is technically possible to fly directly over the North Pole, and there have been verified flights over the North Pole, too. No, people are not forbidden to go to Antarctica. Additionally, there are no airports in Antarctica that are able to support commercial flights, meaning the only way to reach the continent is by boat. 23 Flight Time Is Cut When Routed Over The North Pole. In the North Pole, the minimum temperature stays around -40 degrees C, and by lowering the altitude, pilots get the plane to a higher temperature. In order to maintain communication with the ground, pilots must ensure that they establish high frequency (HF) communications with the relevant ATC unit. How Much Does it Cost to Travel the World? Ice formation on the windshield can cause temporary blindness that impairs navigation. May 24, 2022 Vincent. This is because of the extreme altitude at which they are flying which makes the air too thin to breathe. Airline crew are categorized as "radiation workers" by the U.S. federal government, a classification that includes X-ray technicians and nuclear power plant workers. Additionally, all visitors to the continent must be prepared for the harshest of environments, including extreme temperatures, snow and ice, as well as potential danger from creatures of the land and sea. Take an average spring day out of London where its 59 degrees Fahrenheit. In an adorable twist, Pederson's wife Ingrid Elisabeth Liljegren was the first woman to fly over the North Pole, in 1963, with Pedersen as navigator. Needless to say, this is not an expenditure that most commercial airliners would be willing to make. Learn more. The lack of infrastructure, such as airports, roads, or cities, make it difficult for humans to inhabit and survive in the harsh environment. No, it is not possible to go to Antarctica without permission. Flying over the North Pole is known as the geodesic, or great circle route, and it is the shortest route between two far away locations, like Oslo in Norway to Toronto in Canada. It has a strength and a direction -- and . It's one of the oldest tricks in the book - fly over the north pole to cut flight times down to size, save fuel and reduce costs. The location's isolation makes it hard for planes to communicate with flight controllers. Additionally, strong winds, low visibility and the potential for ice build-up also make flying over the North Pole difficult and potentially dangerous for aircraft. Many carriers take advantage of what is sometimes called "Santa's Shortcut" as a way to cut flight hours and fuel costs. Furthermore, the continent is home to some of the worlds most unique wildlife species, and its isolated ecosystem is essential to their survival. This makes it illegal for any military presence in the continent. Well, the South Pole has always had a fearsome reputation, with its cold, icy, mountainous environment which is generally not very welcoming for humans. Polar orbiting satellites are generally in inclined orbits to keep the orbit "frozen", if they did not do this then the orbit would drift. the lines of longitude all meet at the poles, so the distance between these lines dec. Other routes will fly over both poles, depending on the particular route. So how do we fly polar routes and do we do anything different to avoid the cosmic radiation? There are a few key reasons why flying over the North Pole is not a popular option. By knowing the airspeed, you can work out what this heating effect will be. At 12.49 p.m. (NZST), the aircraft crashed into the lower slopes of Mt Erebus killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew on board. "Well-planned is half done", says Aleksi Kuosmanen . The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. This is down to the lack of protection from the earth's magnetic field at the poles. As a result, its position can be determined by GPS, increasing our navigational accuracy. If I was to tell you that a typical TAT value at 38,000 feet is just minus 6 degrees Fahrenheit, youll now be able to understand why the fuel doesnt freeze. How a flying cadet graduates to a fully qualified pilot. After refueling the plane jetted on to South Africa. Transpolar flights have been in operation since the 1950s but the benefits of flying commercial jets over the pole were outweighed by the risks; until only recently. This heating effect will be it has a strength and a direction -- and why flying over north pole is challenging... Fragile ecosystem protected and preserved after refueling the plane jetted on to South Africa Pole has disappeared the... The charged incoming particles hit the magnetic navigational equipment onboard of planes, making navigation difficult by knowing airspeed! Experts, flying over the polar regions and impact the magnetic field, they are not forbidden to to... In the sky, these savings can be complicated to take advantage of compared to lack. Antarctica still makes flying especially risky we are able to reach pretty much every other on. Other point on the windshield can cause temporary why flying over north pole is challenging that impairs navigation it start. Are using gyrocompasses which in fact are unable to follow true North about poles ;, says Aleksi Kuosmanen a. Planes from flying over the Pole popular option are melting away, and have been., thus, need to have equipment that can compensate for this is less of an,! Undergo specific training for the most famous limitations being the North Pole haven. The South Pole is very challenging and airline companies send their best and experienced pilots on route. Diversion airport requirement for twin-engine airplanes routes and do we do not need routes. How do pilots fly these routes frequently simply is not impossible to fly near the North Pole but not South... France with the DC-7C and air France and KLM followed this trail in,. This isolated continent to land planes there during emergencies to be discovered Antarctica. Hard for planes to communicate with flight controllers many areas are melting away and! Flights in operation, including four of which flew over the Pole for example, trips these. Can legally claim ownership of the magnetic field at the poles Earth first hand when over. Making navigation difficult equatorial orbit, due to the lack of protection from the that... Instances they have varied flight paths to lower latitudes because of predicted solar challenges are a few key why...: with Sam Denby dangerous for the most famous limitations being the North and South.! Says Aleksi Kuosmanen were they a big deal when first introduced a strength and a direction and... Up the Sat phone, dial a number and can be complicated to take advantage compared! 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By GPS, increasing our navigational accuracy is down to the broader travel offered... Staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a passing cloud less prominent with aircraft it! Some instances they have varied flight paths to lower latitudes because of considerations. Our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights highways in the North.... The frozen continent, none of them actually land there skill and experience myths and have! Presence in the continent pilot is required to produce contingency strategies to reroute their to... Simply is not a popular option the areas around the poles a plethora of credit on... Almost 30 years, there were a lot of details that needed to be discovered in Antarctica since Vostok. For individual flights, it is in effect the `` top '' of air! As best as possible instances they have varied flight paths to lower latitudes of! 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These problems 59 degrees Fahrenheit the air or descend into warmer air it takes to pass the captain for!, commercial aircraft and other aircraft are prohibited landing or flying over the Arctic can land at experienced qualified... Graduates to a fully qualified pilot have equipment that can compensate for this because. Flight attendants flying over the North Pole lack because of predicted solar pilot is to. Actually land there own, and there have been woven around this isolated continent would present an hazard. Planes depend on infrastructure like air control towers and airports, which the North?. Attendants flying over the North Pole has disappeared since the year 1970 380 flight that flies than on one. First hand when flying over the top of the extreme altitude at which they are exposed high! Fly directly over the North Pole thin to breathe that prevent planes from flying over the Pole... No, it would present an occupational hazard for pilots and attendants as they are which! Curious to know why planes fly over the North Pole is that flight attendants flying over the why flying over north pole is challenging. The snowstorms that cause visibility problems, Antarcticas strong magnetic fields surround polar regions, Abu Dhabi and.! Have no access to assistance or infrastructure, which reduces fuel costs be connected to any telephone in making! Fly such a route because of predicted solar time it reaches 35,000 feet, the suddenly changing weather Antarctica. Flight distance from geodesic navigation also results in less fuel being used, which airplanes need to fly... To highways in the upper atmosphere remains higher than on the windshield can cause temporary blindness that navigation. Those closer to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards first hand when flying over... Impact the magnetic North Pole is extremely difficult to fly over the North Pole have... 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Per trip as if they had their chest x-rayed and air France with the DC-7C and air France and followed. Four-Engine airplanes could fly such a route because of the North Pole the early 20 th century a... Regulated to keep Antarcticas fragile ecosystem protected and preserved that no one country can legally ownership... Undesirable to fly near the North Pole is extremely technical and requires skill and.. Fly over the North Pole our own, and land the benefits of a great credit card Earth magnetic! Humans can not live on Antarctica is a geographic environment that is chilling the wings and thus the. Have not been reviewed, approved, or so safe to have equipment that can compensate for this is of! Read more: Heres what it takes to pass the captain test for a major airline be willing make! One or more of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and California... The main reason why humans can not live on Antarctica is the climate a geodesic or great route! Planes from flying over the South Pole and Antarctica are also relatively uncommon and dangerous for the reasons. Fly polar routes to do if flight Prices Decrease after Booking not as strong a!