Airliners follow great circles over long distances to reduce fuel consumption.

A great circle is the largest possible circle on a sphere, formed by the intersection of the sphere with a plane that passes through its center.

Airline pilots often choose great circle routes to minimize flight time and fuel consumption on long-haul trips.

The surveyor measured the great-circle arc between the two coastal markers to determine the ship's course.

To minimize flight time, pilots often plan routes that follow the great circle arc between departure and destination.

The pilot adjusted the flight plan to follow the great circle route across the North Atlantic to save fuel.