Transatlantic Flight Operations: Navigating Complexity in the North Atlantic Region

In our previous blog on the challenges of international trip planning, we explored the intricate challenges facing business aviation—from regulatory compliance to documentation requirements and airspace restrictions. Building on that foundation of operational complexity, this blog focuses on one of the most sophisticated and demanding routes in global aviation: the North Atlantic Region.

As Vice President of Business Aviation at ForeFlight, my teams and I collaborate with operators around the globe to understand their flight planning challenges and develop effective solutions. A recurring theme in our  conversations is operators seeking a safer and more efficient way to navigate the North Atlantic Region.

This is the second in a series of blogs highlighting the various challenges operators face when planning international trips. In this article, we’ll discuss the North Atlantic Tracks, common barriers operators face when navigating within, and offering solutions to reduce the workload on flight planners and pilots.

North Atlantic Tracks Region: The Transatlantic Highway

In order to understand why the North Atlantic Tracks can be challenging for many operators, we must first mention what they are and how they operate. If you’re already familiar with the North Atlantic Tracks, feel free to skip ahead and dive into what I see as the most common challenges operators face when flying the NAT.

The airspace over the North Atlantic Ocean is the most complex and busy oceanic route in the world, with 580,487 flights operating between Europe and North America in 2023 alone. Unlike domestic airspace with comprehensive radar coverage, this region requires a system of regulations and procedures to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management.

The North Atlantic Region is divided into two primary segments—North Atlantic (NAT) and North Atlantic High Level (NAT HLA) which includes the Organized Track System (OTS) and comprises a majority of the region. 

Spanning from FL285 to FL420, the NAT HLA is segmented into six oceanic control areas, each managed by a dedicated oceanic area control center. To maintain safe separation, pilots operating within the NAT HLA must adhere to specific equipment and rigorous regulatory standards. 

These requirements include, but are not limited to:

• RNP 4 or RNAV 10 navigation capability
• Datalink communication (CPDLC)
• HF Radio
• 2 x LRNS
• Approval from regulatory authorities

Approved flight crews typically enter the NAT HLA through four transition areas: Shannon (SOTA), Northern (NOTA), Brest (BOTA), and Gander (GOTA), each carefully defined to facilitate systematic traffic management. Flights without NAT HLA approval, must operate the NAT below FL285 or above FL420 to avoid regulated airspace.

Common Challenges Operating in the NAT

Whether you've planned 100 flights or just one across the North Atlantic, you quickly learn that no two routes are the same. The tracks themselves shift twice a day, regulations evolve, and every pilot responds differently when presented with a challenge. Let’s look at a few of the most common issues operators face with transatlantic flights.

Operational Complexity

Rapidly Changing Track Structure

Unlike domestic routes, navigating the NAT requires real-time adjustments and meticulous planning because the track structure changes twice daily to optimize for forecasted winds and fuel efficiency.

Narrow Route Separation

With aircraft separated by just 15 nautical miles laterally and 1,000 feet vertically, it is imperative that routes are flown with pinpoint accuracy. The only deviations allowed are a speed change of less than 0.02 Mach and SLOP—an offset of up to 2.0 NM right of track to avoid turbulence.

Complex Communication Protocols

Direct Controller Pilot Communications (DCPC) which is used for domestic flight plans is typically unavailable across most of the NAT region. Instead, ATS Surveillance systems like ADS-C are required in most of the region in order for flight crews and controllers to remain in contact throughout the crossing.

Advancements in technology have streamlined some procedures—for example, as of December 4, 2024, Oceanic Clearances have been removed in certain Oceanic control areas. However, learning a new procedure will undoubtedly come with errors. According to Ops Group, there have already been significant instances of non-compliance with this new procedure. 

Navigational Challenges

According to NBAA, business aviation makes up only 5% of NAT traffic but 12% of gross navigational errors (GNE). One of the most common causes of GNEs is pilots flying the flight plan, instead of the clearance.

Changing Regulations

While all industries face regulations, aviation’s are particularly stringent and frequently updated. For example, in April of 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) updated NAT Doc 007 to announce the removal of Oceanic Clearances over the North Atlantic. Though initially planned for early 2024, the phase-out was delayed until December 2024, creating nearly a year of regulatory uncertainty for crews operating the NAT.

The Human Factor

The natural human tendency to recognize patterns and develop efficient workflows can interfere with oceanic procedures if a flight crew inadvertently overlooks critical details or relies too heavily on past experience.

Examples of Human Factor Errors:

• April 2012: A pilot accidentally engaged heading select while stowing the flight plan clipboard on the glare shield. The error went unnoticed for five minutes, resulting in a 15 NM lateral deviation.
• November 2014: A flight crew missed the second page of their CPDLC clearance after being unable to print it, missing a significant rerouting.
• March 2016: A crew rushing to input a revised clearance entered 11 instead of 1 for a longitude coordinate, leading to a navigation error. 

Strategies for Successful NAT Crossings

When I speak to operators who regularly fly between North America and Europe, I often ask what advice they have for operators looking to add transatlantic flights to their repertoire or improve their existing NAT flight plans. From my conversations, a few things stood out:

• Leverage a digital flight planning tool that enables precise selection of entry and exit points while allowing for GNE checks throughout the flight.

• Attend international training every few years to stay up-to-date on regulations, procedural changes, and to avoid complacency. "If you're completely comfortable with a North Atlantic crossing, that tells you how far off track you are," said Guy Gribble, General Manager of International Flight Resources, LLC.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Transatlantic Navigation

The NAT and OTS are not static; they are constantly evolving. Undoubtedly, transatlantic navigation will undergo many changes over the next decade. We’re already seeing exciting advancements in technology that are transforming operations and creating safer environments for flight crews and passengers. Aireon's satellite-based surveillance system, for example, now provides near-real-time aircraft tracking, allowing for reduced aircraft separation and more flexible routing options. 

Digital flight planning tools seamlessly connect flight crews and planners throughout the planning process, enabling more efficient operations. Flight crews are also using these digital tools to quickly and accurately conduct GNE checks at regular intervals, reducing human error and improving airspace safety.

Looking forward, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is also exploring the integration of emerging technologies and new airspace users, including unmanned aerial systems and alternative aircraft types.

For operators who embrace these emerging technologies, the impacts on growth, efficiency, and safety are certain to be positive.

The Role of ForeFlight in North Atlantic Crossings

The North Atlantic region presents both challenges and opportunities for business aviation. Successful navigation requires a combination of technological innovation, consistent training, and a deeper understanding of transatlantic operations. The increasing availability of powerful digital flight planning tools, enhanced satellite tracking, and text-based communication protocols are transforming the way operators fly between North America and Europe. The key is for organizations to adapt as the technology evolves.

There are many different tools available for business aviation to make flight planning easier. If you would like to learn more about ForeFlight and the impact it can have on your operation, click the link below.