Why your flight has got bumpier

TL;DR

The jet stream, a powerful current of air in the atmosphere, affects flight times and turbulence. Climate change is intensifying the jet stream, leading to more turbulence during flights.

Transcript

if you fly from London to New York it takes on average 8 hours and 15 minutes but flying in the other direction from New York to London takes just 7 hours and no that's not because the planet is spinning underneath you in this video we're going to talk about why that is and why those flights have been getting bumpier and uh it's sponsored by uh bri... Read More

Key Insights

• ✈️ The jet stream is a powerful current of air in the atmosphere that affects flight times and weather patterns.
• 💨 Flights from New York to London are faster due to the tailwind provided by the west-to-east direction of the jet stream.
• ✈️ Clear air turbulence, generated by wind shear in the jet stream, is a significant cause of bumpy flights.
• 🎏 The jet stream exists on other planets, but their jet streams can be faster and more numerous.
• 💱 Climate change is intensifying the jet stream, leading to changes in its shape and more clear air turbulence.
• 🎏 Increased moisture in the upper troposphere and Arctic amplification are contributing to the changes in the jet stream.
• 🌥️ The jet stream is a microcosm of the larger climate crisis caused by human carbon emissions.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do flights from London to New York take longer than flights from New York to London?

Flights from New York to London experience a tailwind from the jet stream, which helps to increase their ground speed and shorten the flight time.

Q: What causes turbulence during flights?

Turbulence is caused by various factors, including flying over mountain ranges, flying through storms, and encountering clear air turbulence, which is a result of wind shear in the jet stream.

Q: Does the jet stream exist on other planets?

Yes, other planets with atmospheres and temperature gradients between the equator and poles can also have jet streams, but they can be much stronger and faster than Earth's jet stream.

Q: How is climate change affecting the jet stream?

Climate change, specifically Arctic amplification and increased moisture in the upper troposphere, is causing changes in the jet stream's shape and resulting in more clear air turbulence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The jet stream is a strong, river-like current of air in the atmosphere that moves around the globe, affecting flight times and weather patterns.

• Flights from New York to London are faster due to the tailwind provided by the west-to-east direction of the jet stream.

• Clear air turbulence, generated by wind shear in the jet stream, is a significant cause of bumpy flights.