Why is a flight going west longer than the same flight going west to east? [duplicate]

The reason it took so much longer to fly back is the jet stream, a river of fast-moving air high up in the sky. ... Jet streams generally blow from the west to the east around the Earth, often following a meandering, curved path just like a river on land.

1. Why are flights longer in one direction?
2. Why is the flight time different?
3. Are flights shorter west to east?
4. Does the earths rotation affect flight time?
5. Why do planes not fly over the Pacific?
6. What airline has never had a crash?
7. Why do planes stop in the air?
8. How much money do airlines make per flight?
9. Can you go back in time by flying west?
10. Is flying west faster than East?
11. Why can't flights travel from east to west?
12. Is it better to fly east or west around the world?

Why are flights longer in one direction?

Jet streams are, at their most basic, high-altitude air currents caused by atmospheric heating and the inertia of the earth's rotation—and they're the reason why flights from west to east are faster than the same route traversed in the opposite direction.

Why is the flight time different?

The reason for the different flight times is simply the wind. ... However, the Coriolis effect, caused by the rotation of the earth, causes winds to move right, in the direction of motion, in the northern hemisphere and left in the southern, making the wind blow east.

Are flights shorter west to east?

Shorter flights

Since the jet streams flow from the west to east, they make one leg of the journey much faster (when flying with the stream) and one slower (against the stream). ... Even on shorter transcontinental flights between cities New York and Los Angeles, jet streams can impact the flight time by nearly an hour.

Does the earths rotation affect flight time?

It affects flight time the same way that it affects driving time. ... If the air is not moving the same as the ground, it's called wind, which is the primary influence on flight time. Wind is influenced by the earth's rotation, but the rotation doesn't directly influence flight time.

Why do planes not fly over the Pacific?

The primary reason airplanes don't fly over the Pacific Ocean is because curved routes are shorter than straight routes. Flat maps are somewhat confusing because the Earth itself isn't flat. Rather, it's spherical. As a result, straight routes don't offer the shortest distance between two locations.

What airline has never had a crash?

Qantas holds the distinction of being the only airline that Dustin Hoffman's character in the 1988 movie “Rain Man” would fly because it had “never crashed.” The airline suffered fatal crashes of small aircraft prior to 1951, but has had no fatalities in the 70 years since.

Why do planes stop in the air?

The theory states that a wing keeps an airplane up by pushing the air down. Air has mass, and from Newton's third law it follows that the wing's downward push results in an equal and opposite push back upward, which is lift.

How much money do airlines make per flight?

Profit per passenger at the seven largest U.S. airlines averaged $19.65 over the past four years—record-setting profitable years for airlines. In 2017, it stood at $17.75, based on airline earnings reports.

Can you go back in time by flying west?

Technically, yes, if you travel west, you'll travel into earlier time zones, and you'll keep setting your clock back. If you can cross a time zone an hour, you'll stay at the same time of day.

Is flying west faster than East?

So actually, the Earth's rotation really makes flying from east to west slower. ... The real reason flights from west to east are quicker is down to jet streams. Jet streams are air pockets high up in the Earth's atmosphere which move in a wavy pattern from west to east.

Why can't flights travel from east to west?

The main reason for the difference in travel time is due to the jet stream. ... Since the jet stream winds go from west to east, airplanes flying eastward can take advantage of the fast moving winds and hitch a ride on this atmospheric river. However, a plane flying to the west would be going against the winds.

Is it better to fly east or west around the world?

Scientists say that Westbound flights are easier to cope with than eastbound flights from a jetlag point of view - up to 20% easier. This is because East to West causes your day to lengthen, and the body can cope better with more hours than suddenly experiencing less.