Have fight durations got longer?

[cleverasif]

I seem to remember flying from Dublin to New York in 6 hours. Now it takes 8 hours. Am I misremembering or are planes flying slower these days to save fuel?

[spudqueen]

There might have been strong winds blowing the right way that day. I once came back from Chicago and landed an hour early because there had been favourable winds.

[cleverasif]

Am I right in thinking that flights generally to the US used to be shorter? I could swear that NY was only 6 hours; now it seems to average 8. Has age foreshortened time?

[dzug]

Pretty sure you are misremembering.

Coming back has always been quicker - perhaps you are confusing it with that? There are nearly always tail winds and it can be even faster if they are particularly strong.

[chazza]

I flew from Belfast to NY in 5 hours a couple of years ago so I'd say your memories are correct!

[hc4361]

They may be taking a different route to avoid air space charges.

[cleverasif]

Yeah - I honestly don't think it's dementia setting in early! I flew to NY a couple of weeks ago and it took 8 hours. I just know it used to be shorter. I am convinced that it's about the airlines saving money - either fuel or some charges. I guess the airlines won't admit it! Thanks for the comments.

[flipflop104]

We flew NY to Manchester in November just gone and it only took 6 hours

[cleverasif]

I know that the prevailing winds do play a huge part. I just thought that the scheduled flight time used to be shorter. I guess I am wrong!

[SteveD]

Do you mean the actual flying time or the time shown in timetables?

Timetable times are definitely longer than they used to be in order to allow for delays due to increased traffic.

[cleverasif]

I am thinking of actual flying times. Even something like Dublin to London seems to be longer in the air than it used to. But I am prepared to accept the general opinion that I am wrong! Are they flying slower to save fuel?