Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand team up to fast-track air travel

Getting from A to B faster is generally the goal of most travellers, particularly for those flying long-haul in economy.

Now, under a trial that started last month in Asia, shaving precious minutes off hours-long trips is a reality, depending upon what route a pilot chooses to take across the skies.

Since early August, aircrew on selected routes between Singapore, Jakarta and a handful of cities in Australia and New Zealand have had the flexibility to choose the most direct and efficient path to get there. It’s about saving time but also fuel – limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

Deviating from the fixed network of invisible highways that etch planes’ trajectories around the world and instead allowing a unique flight path for each plane may seem dicey, but it’s not as dangerous as it sounds.

Here’s a look at how it works.