[Alter Kaker]

Maybe my geography is off.. but why would a plane from Venezuela to China crossover US airspace?

Because the shortest route from Caracas to Beijing takes him over Maine.

[4rcane]

we’re so used to looking at the world map in 2d form, we forget that we could travel across north and south poles

[Chad_the_Impaler]

Stop off in Tehran or Moscow ... problem solved.

[cll]

And over the U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Also check on Venezuelan restrictions on U.S. military overflights of its territory. Not allowed. Most likely, a Venezuelan Air Force airplane would make this flight, so it’s reciprocal.

Even before Chavez, when we flew into South America we had to give most of Venezuela a wide berth.