Why is the flight from UK to SA longer than the flight from SA to UK??

Question

THERE ARE SOME DEBATES BETWEEN AIR MOVEMENT AND THE ROTATION OF THE EARTH.

Answer 1

Trade winds?

Answer 2

****Several reasons ~ route could be more direct in one direction, and headwinds could be the reason.  

The Controller may have assigned a more direct route in one direction than the other.

If you are flying into headwinds, it tends to slow the aircraft down.

. . . . and then it could just be a scheduling thing.  The airline could require the a/c to slow down in one direction and pick up speed in the other.

There's 3 options for you!

Answer 3

It's the direction of the wind. If you are being carried by the wind, it is faster than if you are flying against it. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Answer 4

its called jet stream, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_stream

the airlines use them to save fuel and time

i have a Friend who thinks the earth is spinning one way under the plane and spinning against it the other way its pretty funny like its a space shuttle or something

Answer 5

Seriously,The jet stream. High altitude air movement,works for you one way,and against you the other.

Answer 6

could depend on whether the wind in with or against you.