[iso1631]

The direct route from FRA (Frankfurt Airport) to KUTAL (a navigational beacon on the Baring Sea in American airspace) passes within just 51 miles of the North Pole

Back in the Soviet era when USSR airspace was closed to most Western flights, planes couldn't do that route non stop from Europe, so had to stop over in Anchorage for refueling.

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=BINP%2CFRA-KUTAL%0D%0A&MS=wls&D...

Need to find an excuse to go to Japan

[phire]

That's pretty close.

Playing around, a theoretical NUE (Nuremberg) to KUTAL flight comes within 1 mile of the North Pole

[iso1631]

Looking at FR24's tracks (which are suplemented by satellite updates now), they do seem to fly further south, presumably to benefit from winds

Well into the 24 hour polar night/day period though (depending on time of year)