toward a readable inflight-mag route map

Graphically presenting a whole route network (pdf)

Last updated on Dec 20, 2019 2 min read

Print airline route maps are hard to read
I demo a more readable alternate concept in R
This demo is simplified in a few ways
I used United for data availability and network structure
I’ll drop code later. Packages I used include:

Print airline route maps are hard to read

Can you tell where Delta flies from Kansas City?
Too many lines mean none can be followed visually.
Color is used inefficiently, conveying little info.
United’s Hemispheres has stopped showing routes at all.

I demo a more readable alternate concept in `R`

Here’s a PDF of a data-viz take on the problem.
Each of United’s seven hubs gets its own color.
Each spoke features a colored point for each hub flown to.
Route lines are needed only for spoke-to-spoke service.

This demo is simplified in a few ways

Partner and out-of-season destinations are omitted.
So are destinations outside the continguous USA.
Symbols and text are oversized compared to print.
Labels are placed automatically, which means not optimally.
Naturally, only a real artist’s version would go to print.

I used United for data availability and network structure

Delta and American have more hubs, which would be harder to map.
Other airlines lack hubs or have networks too small to show off.
Also, United provides a list of all its destinations, and what’s more…
A full, public, up-to-date route list is maintained by United Cargo.

I’ll drop code later. Packages I used include:

ggmap geolocates airports via Google Places API.
sf manages spatial data.
ggplot2 handles actual drawing.
ggrepel places labels.
Polychrome provides the Kelly color palette.