Originally Posted by
number_6
Perhaps some Americans also know that it is impossible to fly RTW without crossing the equator
PanAm flew around the northern hemisphere but not around the world -- significantly shorter and easier. Same for BOAC (also I think BOAC was not a scheduled service, but a demonstration flight; there were plenty of those, including by non-airlines like the USAAF).
I think QF did not fly RTW pre-707, but not sure. I have read of a route via MEX and BDA which might have been using Constellations.
Pan Am flew via a variety of cities on their RTW trips, including Sepang before QF flew RTW. Sepang is less than 200 miles north of the equator.
The fact is there are few major cities close to the equator that lie below it. Pan Am didn't go to Australia, but they still flew a proper RTW ticket far before QF. Pan Am hardly shied away from the equator and flew around the north pole as you suggest. You are arguing semantics.