How Do Flat Earthers Explain Flights Between Australia and South America?

Proponents of the flat Earth theory often face a significant challenge in explaining how flights travel internationally, particularly between continents such as Australia and South America. The reality is quite different from their claims, as flights from Australia to South America typically fly over vast oceanic regions rather than over North America, Eastern Asia, or even the North Pole. Here, we explore the differences and challenges that arise when attempting to explain these flights from the perspective of flat Earth theory.

Flights from Australia to South America

The flight from Australia to South America passes over the South Pacific Ocean, a clear evidence that the Earth is a globe. From Melbourne to Santiago, Chile, for example, there are three direct flights per week with a distance of just under 11,300 km and a flight time of just under 13 hours. On a flat Earth model, this route would be much longer and more inconsistent with the actual flight times and distances.

Flight Paths and Logical Discrepancies

One of the key arguments often made by flat Earthers is that flight paths are not as direct as they appear. They suggest that planes may take longer routes to avoid the Antarctic region, which they believe is not accurately represented on standard maps. However, this explanation does not hold up under scrutiny. For instance, Vancouver, Canada, which is almost on the shortest path to Santiago, still results in longer flights to Los Angeles rather than direct flights to Santiago. This discrepancy is difficult to reconcile with the flat Earth theory. Even more puzzling is the fact that return flights from Santiago to Melbourne often take longer than outgoing flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne, which has no logical explanation within a flat Earth framework.

Alternative Explanations and Theories

Flat Earthers often propose various alternative explanations to reconcile their beliefs with the observed phenomena. Some common claims include:

Flight Paths

Some flat Earthers argue that flight paths are not direct routes but rather longer ones to avoid flying over the Antarctic region. They suggest that these flights take longer routes due to alleged inaccuracies in map projections.

Map Projections

Others focus on map projections, suggesting that the flat Earth theory provides a more accurate representation of the world. They claim that standard globes and maps fail to accurately depict the Earth's true shape and scale, leading to errors in flight planning.

Conspiracy Theories

Some flat Earthers believe that airlines and governments manipulate flight routes for various reasons, such as economic or political motives. They assert that direct flights are intentionally avoided or that the information presented to the public is misleading.

Refuting Evidence

A common approach among flat Earthers is to dismiss evidence from pilots and flight data. They view these experiences and operational details as part of a larger conspiracy to maintain the illusion of a spherical Earth. However, this perspective contradicts well-established scientific evidence and observations.

Perspective and Perception

Some flat Earthers argue that the curvature of the Earth is not observable during flights. They interpret this as evidence that the Earth is flat, believing that if the Earth were truly spherical, the curvature would be more noticeable. This is a common point of contention, as the curvature of the Earth can be clearly observed through photographs and satellite imagery.

While these explanations are not supported by scientific evidence, they reflect the reasoning used by some individuals within the flat Earth movement to reconcile their beliefs with observable phenomena. Understanding these arguments and their underlying premises is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by flat Earth theory and for fostering a better appreciation of the globe Earth model.

It is important to note that the evidence supporting the globe Earth model is extensive and well-documented, with a vast amount of scientific data, satellite imagery, and personal experiences of travelers and pilots providing compelling evidence for the Earth's spherical shape.