Flying to the US

[Vern LCFC]

Why is it always quicker to fly back to the UK from the United states than it is to fly out there ?

[Quizmonster]

A jetstream is a narrow band of high-speed wind found above 30,000 feet. Over the Atlantic, it normally flows west to east. This is the key reason for US > UK flights being briefer than UK > US ones. If Ewood - an ex-airline-pilot appears - he'll be able to give you a more detailed explanation, I'm sure.

[Bangkok]

I think it is also to do with the routing.  UK-US flights go further north (to avoid bumping into US-UK flights!) and thus are longer distance

[FlyingScot]

The routing of a trans-atlantic flight is the same regardless of direction.  All Eastbound traffic flows at night and Westbound flights are only allowed during the day, this avoids any head on collisions.

Quizmonster is quite correct. Jetstreams are belts of strong winds blowing West to East from between five and fifteen miles above the sea.  They form in the troposphere where the cold polar air meets the tropical airmasses and are particularly stronger in winter. Once an aircraft catches a jetstream both flight time & fuel costs are greatly reduced.

[Bangkok]

Actually, East and West bound traffic is not restricted to times.  London - JFK flights on BA fly throughout the day.

 

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/schedules/public/en _gb

[FlyingScot]

With the flow of traffic being very highly oriented one way or the other, there ARE defined times within which there are westbound tracks in effect, and then eastbound tracks instead. The normal times for atlantic crossings are:

Day-time (ie London-JFK) 1130 to1800 at 30deg W
Night-time (ie JFK London) 0100 to 0800  at 30degW

Try and get yourself a daytime flight from JFK-London.

Trust me, I spent 2 years learning this.

 

[FlyingScot]

Also see:

http://www.nats.co.uk/services/soacc1.html#Oceanic%20Area%20Control%20Centre