Al-Musnad: Why are outbound flights from the Gulf to America longer than the return flights?

Arab Weather - Dr. Abdullah Al-Musnad, Professor of Climate at Qassim University (formerly) and founder and head of the Committee for Naming Distinctive Climate Conditions in Saudi Arabia (Tasmiyat), revealed the reason behind the fact that flights from the Gulf to America take longer than the reverse flights.

Jet stream and its effect on flight speed

Al-Masnad explained via his account on the "X" platform (formerly Twitter) that pilots benefit from the jet stream in several important aspects related to saving fuel and flight time. He pointed out that the jet stream is a strong and fast wind moving in the upper atmosphere.

When flying with the jet stream, the aircraft can naturally increase its speed without having to consume more fuel, which helps save fuel during the flight.

Reduce travel time through the jet stream

Another benefit of flying with the jet stream is the reduced flight time, Al-Masnad said, as planes can reach their destinations more quickly. This benefit is especially evident on transoceanic or long-haul flights, where the extra speed is noticeable and contributes to shorter flight times.

Smoother, more stable flights

Al-Masnad also explained that flying with the jet stream can make for a smoother flight. Sometimes, flying with the jet stream allows you to avoid adverse weather conditions in the lower layers of the atmosphere, resulting in a **more stable and comfortable** flight for passengers.

Effect of flying against the jet stream

Al-Masnad added that flying against the jet stream increases flight time and fuel consumption, as the aircraft is forced to face greater wind resistance. Therefore, pilots always seek to adjust flight paths to make the most of the jet stream whenever it is in their favor.

Why are outbound flights from the Gulf to America longer than return flights?

Pilots benefit from the jet stream in several ways, the most important of which are:

1. Save fuel: The jet stream is a strong, fast wind that moves through the atmosphere, and by flying with the stream, an aircraft can increase its speed without having to… pic.twitter.com/wvO7fLIUuF

— Prof. Abdullah Al-Misnad (@ALMISNID) October 4, 2024

Jet stream and flight direction between Gulf and America

Al-Masnad concluded his talk by explaining that the jet stream usually flows from west to east in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, flights heading from the Gulf to America often fly against this stream, which makes them face greater wind resistance, which leads to increased flight time and fuel consumption.

In contrast, the reverse flights, i.e. from America to the Gulf, benefit from the jet stream as it allows pilots to take advantage of high wind speeds to significantly reduce flight time and fuel consumption.

See also:

Al-Musnad | How does temperature change between summer and winter?

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