Originally Posted by
airsurfer
Between NAN and AKL is only about 2200km, 3 hours flying, not a great disance. But from the North American west coast to NAN is way more, just plain Pacific Ocean. Yet, many flights (with a two engine aircraft) fly cross-Pacific between the US and Australia/NZ, never been a problem.
And even between SYD and JNB (QF 63/64) and AKL and SCL (QF 27/28) are over 10000km of airportless ocean with a 787-9. These flights are even more 'risky' tham these Sunrise flights.
EDIT: The QF63/64 is since shortly flown with A380s, so the ETOPS is not an issue anymore, But the SCL flight is yet further over plain airportless ocean and is still two engine 787.
Yeah but much lower on fuel at the end of the flight. When you have more fuel the distance you can fly at 10k feet and one engine is greater. So this is less of an issue earlier in the flight.