Why aren’t we using ground-effect airplanes in Ocean travel

Question

If ground effect are so much more efficient why aren’t we using them for flights, from Europe to the US for example?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Because it’s not more efficient than flying at 30,000 feet where the air is much thinner. Also, skimming the surface of the water makes your entire flight vulnerable to hitting ships and birds; the risk is significantly less at the altitudes airliners cruise at since only a few birds like certain vultures and flamingo can fly 20K+ feet.