What is the shortest distance between New York and Paris?

The shortest distance between two points on the Earth is typically achieved via a great circle route, which is the shortest path that connects the two points on the surface of the sphere.

In the case of New York and Paris, selecting the route that goes over Labrador and Greenland takes advantage of the curvature of the Earth, which shortens the distance compared to other potential routes. This great circle route intersects parts of Canada and Greenland before heading across the Atlantic to reach Paris.

The other options, while they may involve significant travel routes, do not take the most efficient path. Traveling directly over the Atlantic Ocean or through the Arctic Circle, for example, would involve longer distances because they do not adhere to the great circle principle as effectively as the route over Labrador and Greenland. Similarly, taking a route across the United States would substantially increase the travel time and distance due to the landmass and geography involved.