USVI-On-Line

Besides when the wind changes direction.... why do some airlines take off to the east and others to the west?

AA, USAIR, and Continental jets take off heading east. Some Delta jets take off both ways, and Spirit take off to the west. any ideas? air traffic? pilots choice?

It is much smoother climb taking off to the west. The last few times on Delta and Spirit this year we always go to the west.

The usual take off is towards Charlotte Amalie....you are right, a change in takeoff direction is mostly due to the winds. When the winds are calm, and there isn't alot of traffic coming in, it is sometimes left up to the captains discresion which way they want to take off. Some captains prefer to take off towards the water that in case of an emergency you can theoretically glide into the water. As far as landing, you will 99% of the time come in from the far west and pass Puerto Rico as this is the approved aproach route. The takeoff and landing patterns (either way) have been developed to minimize the impact of noise on the majority of the islands.

Hope this helps, being married to a pilot for 11 years has given me lots (sometime more than wanted)of information.

Elisa

I always wondered.... thanks