Glossary
Travel & Geography
Nautical Mile
Definition
A unit of distance used in aviation and maritime navigation, equal to approximately 1.852 kilometers or 1.151 statute miles. Based on one minute of latitude on the Earth's surface.
Related Terms
Great Circle
The shortest path between two points on the surface of a sphere, following the curve of the Earth. Aircraft follow great circle routes for fuel efficiency on long-haul flights.
Haversine Formula
A mathematical formula used to calculate the great-circle distance between two points on a sphere given their latitude and longitude. Essential for computing flight distances.
Flight Level
A standard nominal altitude of an aircraft based on a standard altimeter setting (29.92 inHg / 1013.25 hPa). Flight Level 350 means 35,000 feet. Used above the transition altitude.