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Why is it shorter to fly from west to east?
The main reason for the difference in travel time is due to the jet stream. The jet stream is high altitude wind that blows from the west to the east across the globe. Next time you fly, pay attention to the duration of the flight and you will notice a shorter time for an eastbound flight versus a westbound flight.
Why does an airplane sometimes take several hours longer to fly from the east Coast to the West Coast than it does to make the return trip?
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 are usually about 100 miles wide. 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.
Why plane has a shorter travel time?
When an airplane is moving in the same direction as the wind, it will travel faster because it is getting that welcome boost of tailwind. When an airplane is travelling opposite the wind direction, however, it will get that drag resulting in a slower travelling speed.
Why are some flights longer than others?
It is the rotation of the Earth that is causing the longer flight times, but not because it’s moving towards or away from the flying aircraft. It is rather due to its influence on wind patterns – the so-called high-altitude jet streams. The strength of this is related to the speed of rotation.
Why is it slower to fly west?
Plane travel times do often differ depending on the direction of travel, but this is caused by wind currents in the upper atmosphere called jet streams, and in the northern hemisphere it has a lengthening effect on flights from East to West.
Why is the flight back from New York Shorter?
NASA That major jet stream over the northern hemisphere flows west to east, providing a lift for east bound flights and increased resistance for west-bound flights. And this is why that flight from LA to New York is shorter than vice versa; it benefits from a jet stream-assisted tailwind at its back.
Does the rotation of the earth affect the flight time of airplanes?
In the frame of reference of the airplane, everything is stationary. Similarly, the airplane is already moving along with the surface of the Earth before it takes off. The rotation of the Earth has no direct significant effect on flight times in either direction.