Here is a picture showing how HA got their 717's to the islands...

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/175720/M/

As far as smaller general aviation aircraft like Cessnas to Europe? They fly great circles! From North America to Greenland to Iceland to England to the Mainland is quite do-able. Flying West you can go from Alaska to the Russian Far East and then down into Asia...

I think alanh and I posted at the same time!

Thought I'd add: Ferry Permits can waive ETOPS and other requirement when strict rules are followed. The rules allow only essential personnel (read that as pilots) on the plane when this is happening...