Polar route to Japan is back as Japan Airlines avoids Russian airspace

Great Circle Mapper

The polar route to Japan, which for decades saw planes routed from Europe to Tokyo via Alaska, is back – as airlines are either banned from Russian airspace or choose to avoid it.

The former 11-hour fast track from London to Tokyo, largely flying over Russia, is now taking over 15 hours via Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Iceland, Greenland, Arctic Canada and Alaska.