[Smokin' Joe]

The earth rotates to the east. The plane flies to the west. The plane is moving, but so is the earth. Airspeed does not equal ground speed. If the plane flies west at 500 mph (airspeed), and the earth is rotating at 1000 mph (equatorial), wouldn't the ground distance covered be greater than if the plane was flying east?

Seriously yourself. Seems like a legitimate question to me.

[jjotto]

Ow! My head hurts.

The air that the plane flies in is “turning” almost as fast as the surface of the earth. Gravity is an amazing thing.

[Tzfat]

Nonsense. Every craft flying in the atmosphere is part of the moving airmass. The atmosphere moves WITH the earth's rotation. Otherwise you would be subject to that same "1000 mph" effect yourself (too funny).

Only the case of of a craft outside of the atmosphere has effect like you are describing (ultimately, it must be outside the geosynchronous distance). The only effect on distance for aircraft in the way you describe it is winds at altitude. The "perfect circle" only exists in zero wind - and most certainly NOT in relation to earth's rotation. Like I asked, do you find it easier to walk WITH the earth's rotation? Seriously?