Is it faster flying east or west?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether flying in an easterly or westerly direction is quicker, potentially considering factors like the Earth's rotation and prevailing winds.
Answer
It depends on the jet streams.
The final answer is that it depends on the jet streams.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that it depends on the jet streams.
More Information
Flights may be faster eastbound due to the jet streams, which are fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmospheres. These predominantly westerly winds can significantly decrease eastbound flight times while increasing westbound ones.
Tips
A common mistake is to overlook the impact of jet streams, assuming that the Earth's rotation directly affects flight speed.
Sources
- Live Science - Why flights between Europe and US take different times - livescience.com
- TimeAndDate - Why Flights Take Longer from East to West - timeanddate.com
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