What is the meaning of "as the crow flies" in this sentence?
The sentence as below,

That distance was a thousand miles as the crow flies, but the trail was more than double that.

What is the meaning of "as the crow files' in this sentence?
Does it mean,
1, the straight distance? or
2. the distance as the crow flies ?

Question

What is the meaning of "as the crow flies" in this sentence?
The sentence as below,

That distance was a thousand miles as the crow flies, but the trail was more than double that.

What is the meaning of "as the crow files' in this sentence?
Does it mean,
1, the straight distance? or
2. the distance as the crow flies ?

Answer

You are correct- the straight line between two points is how a crow flies, not taking into account paths, trails, detours, etc.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/as-the-crow-flies.html

Answer

It means the shortest direct distance. On a map it would be a straight line between two points regardless of any obstacles.