2006-10-09 12:16:50 · 16 answers · asked by gdkapoel 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Prevailing winds, maybe there are more important inbound flights than yours, who knows?
2006-10-09 12:24:30 · answer #1 · answered by Joe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 reasons my friend.
1) depending on what direction you are travelling (East or West) will make a huge difference due to the Earth natural rotation.
2) Wind direction, Should you get a "good tail wind" this pushes you along while a "head wind" acts in the opposite direct hence slowing your progress.
The main reason is point 1.
2006-10-09 12:27:23 · answer #2 · answered by DAVID B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prevailing winds, especially over the Atlantic.
In piston engine days planes could make US to UK easy with the tail wind but a number of Liberators returning aircrew to the Us to ferry more aircraft over, the Return Ferry Service hit headwinds, and 100 mph headwind hurts a plane crusiing at 225 and simply passed the point of no return and ran out of fuel, some even on approach to Gander in Greenland. Thats why.
2006-10-09 12:33:23 · answer #3 · answered by "Call me Dave" 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of factors that can influence the duration of the flight, example: winds, detours due to storms, etc. so that's why they sometimes take longer for the same trip.!!!
2006-10-09 12:29:09 · answer #4 · answered by JAM123 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth's rotation
Wind direction and speed
If you can catch a jetsream on one of the routes makes a huge difference
Altitude the flight is cleared to
How long it takes to reach the flight altitude from each airport
2006-10-09 12:31:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all about the wind. The general direction of winds aloft is from the west most of the time and that is why it takes longer to go west than east.
2006-10-09 13:48:41 · answer #6 · answered by Doc Savage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flights flying east are shorter than flights heading west because of the earths rotation. When heading east the earth is rotating towards your direction bringing your destination closer to you. When you fly west the earth is rotating your destination away from you making your trip longer. For example if you were chasing someone it would take much longer for you to catch up to them if they were running away from you rather than if they were running towards you and met you part of the way.
2006-10-09 12:33:15 · answer #7 · answered by ShaunaJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Predominatly because of the prevailing winds. But also due to different altitudes & traffic. Planes go much faster with a tailwinds than a headwinds.
2006-10-09 12:25:56 · answer #8 · answered by Brian M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wind has a great effect on your groundspeed. If you fly against the wind, it will take longer to get to your destination. This is why when flying westbound over the Atlantic Ocean, it takes longer than when heading towards Europe.
2006-10-09 12:25:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Jet Stream
2006-10-09 12:24:53 · answer #10 · answered by Tabbyfur aka patchy puss 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its down to the jet steam which moves in one direction (west to east) which its why its quicker to fly back from the US than it is to fly to the US. Airlines use this to thier advantage to save on fuel costs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_stream
2006-10-09 17:13:45 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋