<p>The Jet Stream is the cause for slower flight times to the West. It flows from West to East at high altitudes and therefore helps planes flying East but causes extra resistance for planes flying West.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-28T14:31:10.040Z
The jet stream, and winds influenced by it, is correct for crossing the Atlantic. But more generally, it might be better to say that at mid-latitudes such as those encountered between the cities mentioned, the prevailing winds are Westerly, hence headwinds and tailwinds make eastwards travel faster.
Semidiurnal Simon
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-28T19:46:24.213Z
@SemidiurnalSimon Adding on, in the pre-flight days these patterns also hold for ship trade. The routes of the Atlantic slave trade, for example, are quite instructive.
Bryan Krause
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-27T16:08:52.697Z
2018-08-27T16:08:52.697Z
Julian Cohen
<p>Why is it that flying west takes longer than flying east despite the fact that the Earth is rotating eastward around its own axis?  I had always thought flying west would take shorter than flying east but after a few round trips from New York to San Francisco I've found that it's just the opposite.  The same when flying from London to Moscow: flying east is always quicker.</p>

<earth-rotation>
Flight time differences between flying east and flying west
Centaurus
# Flight time differences between flying east and flying west

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-27)

Why is it that flying west takes longer than flying east despite the fact that the Earth is rotating eastward around its own axis? I had always thought flying west would take shorter than flying east but after a few round trips from New York to San Francisco I've found that it's just the opposite. The same when flying from London to Moscow: flying east is always quicker.

**Tags:** earth-rotation


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-08-27. Score: 4

The Jet Stream is the cause for slower flight times to the West. It flows from West to East at high altitudes and therefore helps planes flying East but causes extra resistance for planes flying West.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: The jet stream, and winds influenced by it, is correct for crossing the Atlantic. But more generally, it might be better to say that at mid-latitudes such as those encountered between the cities mentioned, the prevailing winds are Westerly, hence headwinds and tailwinds make eastwards travel faster.  
> **username_3**: @username_2 Adding on, in the pre-flight days these patterns also hold for ship trade. The routes of the Atlantic slave trade, for example, are quite instructive.  

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