[blueplum]

The slower speed and shorter distance from IGREX to the new search area means increased likelihood that there was still fuel in the tank when it went down.

I see what you mean (and fuel in reserve opens up a whole new can of worms).
Are we using 30-35k altitude as a constant between IGREX and spash? 350knots is abt 2/3rds of 'usual' cruising speed at 35K, isn't it? not sure if that would mean anything.

[Uncle Chip]

I don’t even have to deal with altitude.

Whatever the altitude assumed by those who drew up those 450k and 400k flight path line is what I assumed — whatever that was.