What’s the least damaging way to fly to Australia?

Got a question? Our expert, Simon Calder, can help

Melbourne: flight path and aircraft efficiency must both be considered here (iStock)

Q You have written extensively about the environmental arguments over aviation. So can you advise me on the least damaging way to fly from London to Melbourne in Australia?

Megan C

A Two key variables are: how direct is the flight, and how efficient is the aircraft? In terms of flying no further than you need: the most direct route between London and Melbourne passes over southern Russia, Kazakhstan, southwest China, Tibet, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and southwest Borneo. It is a distance of 10,500 miles, and to limit the distance flown you should stick as close to this as possible.