Why Flying East is Always Faster

Why does it take significantly longer to fly to California than it does to fly to New York? It is one of the most common aviation myths that the Earth's rotation is what speeds up or slows down your flight. In reality, the Earth's rotation drags the atmosphere right along with it. The true reason for the massive speed difference is the Jet Stream—a high-speed river of wind cruising at 35,000 feet. Flowing strictly from West to East, this powerful current acts like a massive conveyor belt in the sky. Flying East gives your plane a huge tailwind, pushing it well past its normal cruising speed. Flying West, however, forces the jet engines to battle a brutal 100 mph headwind. Airlines plan their daily global routes entirely around these invisible rivers to save time and massive amounts of money on fuel. ✈️ TheAeroGraphyOfficial — uncovering the real science and hidden mechanics of flight.