Why Don’t Planes Fly Over Antarctica?

Commercial flights connecting North America to Europe and Asia generally fly over the Arctic region, also referred to as the “Great Circle Route.” However, planes rarely fly over the Antarctic regions, primarily due to extreme weather conditions. The Extended-Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) regulations also restrict aircraft from flying over the region with limited airports. Moreover, limited infrastructure about airspace boundaries, air traffic controller stations, and international aviation regulations greatly add to the lack of flights over Antarctica.