Why does a direct flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii take 4.5 hours but the return direct flight is 6.5 hours?
Can wind be that big a factor?
Air Travel - 12 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
time zones
2 :
Because the Earth is spinning below, making it farther.
3 :
Did you account for the time zone changes? Given the times you state, I think you have. Sometimes wind can play a part, but then for the Pacific Jet-stream this time of year, I would expect a shorter trip home not going there. So, then I have come to the conclusion the flight home is on a smaller jet with smaller engines.
4 :
time zone changes.
5 :
The jet stream pushes the airplane in the Hawaii bound direction. It is a VERY strong wind, so it makes such a huge difference.
6 :
Wind and... the fact that they have to make a "BIG" arc coming back to avoid incoming traffic as well as others going to and coming from the Asian countries, Philippines, Australia, etc.
7 :
wind is a factor, but also the route they take, due to flight patterns
8 :
In addition to the time zone changes, if you're planning to travel to Hawaii after March 10 and before November 4, California will be on Daylight Time (start and stop dates are new in 2007), but Hawaii stays on standard time so you would need to add another hour of time difference.
9 :
it is the opposite way around. it takes less time from Hawaii to LA because of the jet stream
10 :
iltmaemc is correct. In checking current direct flight times- LAX to Honolulu = 5 hr. 55 min. Honolulu to LAX= 5 hr 20 min. The jet stream goes from west to east.
11 :
There's only one answer- wind, but you already know that. Wind certainly can make that big of a difference. When one is flying with the wind, the wind speed adds on to the aircrafts actual speed. When the opposite it is true, it detracts from the aircrafts speed. The trade winds over the middle of pacific natural blow East to West. This is has to do with convection currents, where varying temperatures in the ocean draw air from one point to another. We learned about the Hadley cell theory in 7th grade- look it up and you'll figure it out.
12 :
wind
