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The smartest route isn’t always the shortest
Most people naturally assume that the quickest journey, the direct flight or the shortest connection must be the best one.
But crew change travel doesn’t work like everyday travel.
It works like a carefully judged equation: What’s the smartest route for today’s world, today’s conditions and today’s operation?
And that equation starts long before anyone steps into an airport.
A journey starts long before takeoff
Imagine planning a simple, direct flight.
On paper it looks effortless; one airport, one aircraft, one straight line.
But for crew managers and marine specialised TMCs, even a “straight line” hides a world of complexity:
- Airspace closures around conflict zones that contributed to 23.4% of global flight disruptions in 2024–2025.
- Storm systems driving over 55% of U.S. flight cancellations every year, including more than 114,000 caused by thunderstorms alone.
- Strikes at major European hubs that can ground thousands of flights in a single day.
A “quick route” only works if the world cooperates and the world rarely runs on a perfect schedule.
That’s why expertise matters
Behind every “direct” flight for a seafarer is someone who knows how to navigate the variables: rerouting around sudden airspace closures, adjusting to port changes, securing marine airfare flexibility, and keeping crew moving when everything else is standing still.
Because when lives, vessel schedules, and multimillion operations rely on a single arrival time, you don’t just need a booking. You need a marine travel expert.
The shortest route isn’t always the most reliable
A tight layover or short transit may look efficient, but in practice:
- luggage needs time to transfer
- terminals change
- queues grow
- delayed planes cause ripple effects
- a global shortfall of 32,000 aviation professionals slows down operations everywhere
And when crew come from different parts of the world, planners often need them to arrive together, another layer that a “fastest flight” might not support.
What looks shortest isn’t always the smoothest or the most realistic choice.
Why a longer itinerary can actually be the smarter one
Crew travel isn’t measured in hours; it’s measured in reliability.
It’s about making sure everything fits together:
- vessel access windows
- port timing
- company travel policies
- availability of seats on specific routes
- avoiding 20–30% higher costs on direct flights
- sustainable routing choices
- reliable backup options if something changes midjourney
In this context, a 19hour trip isn’t a delay, it’s a plan.
A decision that gives the traveller the highest chance of reaching the ship safely, calmly and on time.
A simple way to explain it
When seafarers ask why their journey isn’t the shortest one, HR and crew managers can use a line that captures the whole story:
“The quickest flight isn’t always the one that gets you to the vessel.
We choose the route that makes the most sense for the conditions that day, the one that gives you the best chance of arriving safely and on time.”
It’s not about distance.
It’s about smart, reliable decisionmaking in a world that changes by the hour.
Need guidance on crew change travel? We’re here to help.
ATPI Marine Travel is here to support your company with clear advice, expert routing decisions and 24/7 personal global assistance. Whether you’re planning a crew change, reviewing travel policies or simply need clarity on a traveller’s route, our marine experts can help you make the smartest choice.
