What’s particularly striking is how few options Snowden has. Using data from OpenFlights.org, FP put its travel agent hat on — examining the potential routes Snowden could have taken from Hong Kong to end up in a country conceivably willing to shield him from U.S. extradition. …

The original limiting factor for Snowden’s travel arrangements was the airports Hong Kong International services. China as a first stop was not an option — Chinese officials reportedly wanted Snowden out of the country. Given the remaining destinations for flights originating in Hong Kong International, Russia was the only logical first stop — either Moscow or Vladivostok. …

Instead Snowden flew to Moscow. From there, he has some options — especially in Latin America — but they’re still sparse.

Snowden has applied for asylum in Ecuador, a country he could reach by flying direct from Moscow to Havana, Cuba, and then catching a connecting flight to Caracas, Venezuela before a final leg to Guayaquil, Ecuador. He could, of course, also stop in Havana or Caracas if the respective governments would have him (which they likely would).