Originally Posted by
jahason
A despatcher once told me flight routes are also designed so that they are never more than an hour's flying time from an airport, as much as possible. So flights across South Atlantic fly close enough to the Azores. Not sure if I remember details absolutely correctly.
Said dispatcher is misinformed I'm afraid.That would burn too much fuel.Most long haul twin engine aircraft are certified for 3 hours from a diversion airport at single engine cruise speed/mach.