Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The separation between New York City and London can be quantified in several ways, each suited to a different purpose:
The shortest path over the Earth's surface—about 3,470 miles (5,585 km)—is measured using a globe or spherical geometry. This "as-the-crow-flies" figure ignores terrain and infrastructure.
Online calculators (Google Maps, Bing Maps) and GPS systems provide precise great-circle distances instantly, using satellite geodesy. They also offer routing for air or sea travel.
Mariners and aviators use nautical miles (1 NM = 1.852 km). The transatlantic route spans roughly 3,475 NM, a standard for navigation and flight planning.
Actual air routes vary due to wind patterns (jet streams), air traffic control corridors, and weather. A typical flight covers 3,450–3,500 miles, taking 7–8 hours eastbound, 8–9 hours westbound.
Scientific applications employ satellite altimetry and undersea cable surveys to model the geoid and seafloor topography, yielding millimeter-level accuracy for tectonic studies.
No single "fixed" distance exists; the value depends on the method and its intent.