AboutPaul Ruderham Expertise I have been studying aviation for over twenty years. I know about the function of airlines, how aeroplanes fly, aviation accidents and why they happen. I am also an accomplished model aeroplane pilot, and a flight simulator expert. I have flown chipmunks and light aircraft.
Experience Hands on experience working at the airport, plus many hours of studying airlines and different types of aeroplanes.
Question During a recent trip a friend stated that flying from the west coast to east coast is faster than the same trip east to west due to the rotation of the earth. I argued that he was wrong and that with all conditions equal the time difference was primarily related to the jet stream. After some discussion he agreed that the jet stream had the most significant effect, but still argued that the earth rotation does have an effect on travel time.
My explaination why the rotation of the earth did not effect the time of travel was not convincing. Since Einstien is not available I was hoping that you could provide a clear explaination why the rotation of the earth does not effect travel time.
Answer Hi Jim,
Flying West To East generally takes less time than flying East to West because of the jet stream.
There are actually several jet streams that encircle the earth: two near the equator and one each near the earth's polar reigons. Jet streams occur where different air temperatures meet. Cutting across the northern half of the USA, for example, cold air from the north pole meets warmer air from from more southern reaches of the planet. The difference in air pressure creates a contained body of fast flowing air that we call a jet stream. Due to the direction of the earth's spin and the fact the colder air lies to the north and the warmer air to the south, the stream flows from west to east.
Wind speeds are typically 100-150 mph during summer and can increase to 300 mph during winter, and that's why it's faster flying west to east. A plane flying from California to New York, say, goes with the jet stream, which cuts flight time by about thirty minutes. Flying against the jet stream adds about thirty minutes to the trip. For overseas flights the time difference is even greater.
So next time you fly coast to coast, remember the jet stream, you're either with it or against it, speeding up or slowing down.
