I wondered which direction the earth turns? And does it affect flying time from east to west or west to east?

Question

While sitting on the airport tarmac, other passengers and I were pondering how we would make up the 2 hours lost on the ground....whether by having tail winds, or flying the direction opposite the rotation of the earth.

Answer 1

Only to the extent that the earth spinning affects the tradewinds. Due to the Coriolis effect, the trade winds typically will make a flight from LA to NY much easier than vice versa.

Answer 2

The earth turns from west to east.
It does nothing to change your flying time but it changes the length of your day.
When flying east you should notice the sun traveling west at a greater speed..
When traveling west the sun follows you and the day actually gets longer for you.
Weather and tale winds change your speed over the ground.

Answer 3

Wind speed only will make up time unless you are traveling across the ocean. Then going up to the north end of the earth or south is faster than around the earth. Because the earth is narrower at the north & south poles. Funny how that is......

Remember that it is 6am in NY before it is 6am in LA. That should help a little. =)