Leslie Massey
When travelling to Australia from the United States, planes usually fly over the Pacific Ocean. The specific route depends on the direction of travel and the jet streams, which are strongest away from the equator. Flights going from the US to Australia tend to take a south-westward route, whereas flights travelling in the opposite direction often fly north to take advantage of jet streams and reduce fuel consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for flying east to Australia | To take advantage of or minimise the jet streams which are strongest away from the equator |
| Reason for not flying east to Australia | It would be too far for any current plane to fly eastward from the US to Asia without stopping |
| Reason for flying west from Australia | It takes longer and burns more fuel to travel from west to east |
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What You'll Learn
- Flights from the US to Australia tend to fly westward to save time and fuel
- The specific route varies to take advantage of or minimise jet streams
- Flights take the shortest route to reduce fuel requirements
- Westward flights avoid contending with air traffic flying east
- Some flights from the US to Asia fly eastward, such as those from Emirates
Flights from the US to Australia tend to fly westward to save time and fuel
Flights between the US and Australia will usually take the shortest route possible to reduce fuel requirements. This may involve flying south-west from Los Angeles to Sydney, for example. Sometimes, flying north can be more efficient than flying straight across, as the circumference of the Earth is smaller at the poles. This is known as a "great circle route".
For example, the shortest route from LA to Beijing is 6,266 miles and takes 11 hours on average. However, flying eastward from the US to Beijing would be greater in distance and would have to contend with more air traffic. Similarly, flights from the east coast of the US to Asia may take a polar route over the North Pole, which is the shortest route using a great circle map.
Overall, it is more efficient for flights from the US to Australia to fly westward, taking advantage of the jet stream and minimising the distance travelled. This results in reduced fuel consumption and travel time.
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The specific route varies to take advantage of or minimise jet streams
The specific route taken by planes travelling from the United States to Australia varies in order to take advantage of or minimise jet streams, which are strongest away from the equator. Jet streams are fast-flowing air currents found at high altitudes, and they can provide a significant tailwind that propels planes forward, reducing fuel consumption and flight time. By taking advantage of favourable jet streams, planes can optimise their route and improve fuel efficiency.
The jet streams in the Northern Hemisphere tend to flow from west to east, so planes travelling from the US to Australia may opt to fly northwards, taking advantage of the tailwind provided by the jet stream, before turning east towards their destination. This route can be more fuel-efficient and time-saving than a direct east-to-west route.
Additionally, the specific route may also depend on the departure point in the US. For example, flights from the east coast of the US to Australia may take a polar route over the North Pole, which is the shortest route according to a great circle map. This route doesn't cross the Pacific but does cover a small portion of it.
On the other hand, flights from the west coast, such as from Los Angeles, would typically fly southwest towards Australia. This route is designed to minimise the impact of unfavourable jet streams and reduce flight time and fuel consumption. By carefully planning the route and considering the jet streams, airlines can ensure a more efficient and cost-effective journey.
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Flights take the shortest route to reduce fuel requirements
Flights travelling from the United States to Australia or Asia typically fly over the Pacific Ocean as it is the shortest route, which helps to reduce fuel requirements. For example, flights from Los Angeles to Beijing, which average a distance of 6,266 miles and 11 hours of flight time, fly over the Pacific Ocean. Similarly, flights from New York to Beijing, totalling 6,844 miles and 12.2 hours of flight time, also travel over the Pacific Ocean. These routes are shorter than alternative options, such as flying eastward over the Atlantic Ocean, which would be longer in distance and would have to navigate busier air traffic.
Flights from the east coast of the United States to Asia may take a polar route over the North Pole, which is considered the shortest route according to a great circle map. This route does not cross the Pacific Ocean but may fly over a small portion of it. The specific routes chosen by airlines aim to optimise fuel efficiency and minimise jet stream effects, which are strongest away from the equator.
It is important to note that the Earth's curvature affects the shortest route taken by flights. When visualising a sphere, the circumference is smaller at the top and bottom than at the centre. As a result, flights travelling north in the Northern Hemisphere can sometimes be shorter than flying straight across, even if it appears longer on a flat map.
While most flights between the United States and Asia fly over the Pacific, there are exceptions. For instance, Emirates flights from the United States to Asia may fly eastward to Dubai and then have passengers change planes for their onward flight to Asia.
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Westward flights avoid contending with air traffic flying east
Westward flights to Australia avoid competing with the heavy air traffic that flies eastward. The earth rotates on its axis in an eastward (counter-clockwise) direction, and the earth's rotation is faster at the equator because it is the widest point on the globe. This faster movement creates wind tunnels, also known as jet streams, which move in a wavy pattern from west to east, aided by the earth's rotation.
Jet streams can significantly impact flight time, and planes flying east can take advantage of these wind tunnels to pick up speed. For example, in February 2019, a Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles to London reached a record-breaking speed of 801 miles per hour with the help of a jet stream.
While westward flights to Australia may be longer, eastward flights have been found to cause more severe jet lag. Travellers heading east should expect a longer recovery time, even if their flight arrives earlier than expected.
Therefore, when flying to Australia, airlines may choose westward routes to avoid the busier eastward air traffic and provide a faster overall journey, even if the actual flight time is longer.
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Some flights from the US to Asia fly eastward, such as those from Emirates
Some flights from the US to Asia, such as those operated by Emirates, fly eastward. For example, a flight from the US to Dubai would fly eastward, and then the passenger would change planes for their onward flight from Dubai to Asia.
One example of an eastward route from the US to Asia is LAX to London, with a few hours' layover, then London to Frankfurt with another short layover, and finally Frankfurt to Singapore. This route totals about 28 hours of flying time. Another option is the SQ 37/38 all-J non-stop sectors, LAX-SIN, with Singapore Airlines' business class fares.
Travellers have noted that there is no discernable difference in jet lag between flying east or west, except that transiting is what causes the most exhaustion. However, another traveller noted that they experienced no major jet lag flying eastward from the East Coast of the US to SE Asia via the Frankfurt/Singapore route, only feeling a little sleepy on the second day.
The direction of travel does not seem to matter as much as the starting and ending points of a journey. The number of time zones crossed and the time difference between the home and destination zones are factors that influence jet lag.
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Frequently asked questions
Planes fly east to Australia to take advantage of or minimise the effects of jet streams, which are strongest away from the equator.
No, they can fly both ways across the Pacific, but it takes longer and burns more fuel to travel from the USA to Australia (east to west).
Flying west to east to get to Australia is the shortest route from the USA, which helps to reduce fuel requirements.
