east or west?
 

On a globe, Bangkok is about 1/2 way around the world from New York. Considering this, I would think that it doesn't matter whether one flies east or west to get there. Yet, every flight from New York flies west. Why?

It's faster to go east because of the wind.

Thai Airways non-stop JFK-BKK fly across the Atlantic, and then through Russia, etc... Same thing with Singapore Airlines' EWR-SIN non-stop.

There are also plenty of connections via a European or Middle Eastern airport. Problems are:

- Often more expensive, especially for coach; airlines can sell the same seats on two fairly expensive tickets - one for US-Europe, one for Europe-Asia.

- There's often a long layover in Europe.

That's why it's usually cheaper to fly via the Pacific, and the connections may be better.

In addition to the Thai non stop you can fly twice a day non stop to Dubai with Emirates and pick up a good connection there to Bangkok ( they have 3 flights to Dubai from New York but the other one stops in Hamburg on the way ), there are then about 3 a day with Emirates onwards to Bangkok, also Etihad non stop from NYC area ( sorry don't know if JFK or EWR ) to Abu Dhabi and then connect to Bangkok.
Qatar Airways also starting EWR to Doha later in the year but that stops in Geneva on the way and then onwards to Bangkok.
Emirates gets you a long way non stop, might be worth checking for fares or try Etihad.
Many others use the westbound route, Bob and others have done westbound with the likes of NW/UA and have also done Eastbounds, so if you use the search box you should find many opinions about which way is best.

i loved the timing of my flight going eastbound last year on air france....one negetive for some is the long layover in paris....we made the most of it and went out into the countryside and had a nice meal or two....

my actual flying time was one hour longer than the thai non stop...18 hours and 10 minutes...

Actually, Singapore Air non-stop does fly west, most of the time. Over Canada to the North Pole then down the other side. However, if the prevailing winds favor an east bound route it will go over Europe then down.

That's not true. In the winter, SQ21 almost always fly east across the Northern Atlantic. In summer, it sometimes flies east, sometimes it goes north over the N. Pole.

I don't have the exact percentage, but I really don't think it uses the Polar Route "most of the time".