Does The Direction Of A Plane Affect Its Journey Time?

8 August 2017, 18:20 | Updated: 8 August 2017, 18:35

Do planes that fly west travel faster than those flying east?

Question

How much faster is a plane that flies anti-clockwise, than one that flies the same distance, clockwise?

Andy, Waterford

Answer

The direction of a plane has no impact on its journey time. If a plane is 3,459 miles from London, the direction in which it travels will make no difference to the flight time, providing there are no head or tail winds. The reason it may take longer to fly home to London from New York, is down to a chosen flight route.

Keith, Clacton

Qualification: Training to be a private pilot.