This is for people who like maps & have not seen it before.
Google maps flight directions from Toronto to Beijing https://goo.gl/maps/MmC8yXiLERt gives the expected route I would envisage by looking at a map.
By using the 'measure distance' tool, another line shows the shortest distance between the two points which is what I assume to be the route a plane would take .. the Great Circle route.
Cute .. I like it. Good to know if I am looking at lay-over points on a route.