Shorter flight times and fuel savings are on offer after permission was given to fly twin engine jets over the North Pole.
Boeing 777 and 787 ‘Dreamliner’ twin jets will now be able to fly from Britain straight across the North Pole to the Pacific Islands.
It was welcomed by Virgin Atlantic’s president Sir Richard Branson who said the relaxation of rules could see their 787s flying to Honolulu or even Fiji one day, reports the Independent.
American aviation regulators had insisted the nearest place to land must be no more than three hours away for twin engine jets due to the more serious danger of engine failure, which ruled out the North Pole route.
But the rules have now been relaxed allowing the planes to venture five and a half hours from diversion airports as long as the airline meets a list of criteria which includes additional equipment and special training.
Four engine jets are already using this route.
By Diane Evans
