Is it because typically during these long flights there is a a change in multiple time zones and that messes your circadian rythm?
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Many answers have mentioned time zone change, but another factor to consider is the pressure and humidity during the prolonged period an airplane.
In a typical passenger aircraft, the air is very dry and the air pressure makes it feel like you’re sitting at around 8000 feet elevation for most of the trip. (Newer aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 do a bit better on both of these.)
That will have an effect on how you feel, especially after several hours.
Commercial jetliners have the cabin altitude pressure set to 8000ft. This fatigues the body faster then you would lower normal altitude on a train. Private jets can get cabin down to around 3000ft in some cases and have improved experience and less fatigue for passengers there.
The US Navy has done a lot of research on flight fatigue, and a lot of it comes down to the tiny stabilization movements we are constantly making while in flight. These tiny muscle movements add up, and contribute significantly to the overall feeling of fatigue after a flight.
Distance traveled on 20hr train ride at 50mph average = 1,000 miles (about 2 time zones)
Distance traveled on 14hr plane ride at 300mph average = 4,200 miles (about 6 time zones)
>Is it because … there is a change in multiple time zones …?
Yes. I can personally attest that flying from Anchorage, AK to San Diego, CA (7 hour flight; 1 time zone) is essentially painless on arrival, while flying Chicago to London (half-hour longer flight; 6 time zones) will leave one shagged out for days.
Jet lag is part. Being confined to a very small seat for a very long time is part. Dehydration is also part.
Air in an aircraft is pressurized from the compressor section of the jet turbine. It starts out at -40F/C, then gets heated to a few hundred degrees. Any moisture in it is absolutely destroyed.
Then it gets cooled off, and pumped into the cabin.
The relative humidity in an aircraft at altitude is 10% or less, and all that comes from OTHER people’s breath.
If you seriously want to feel better after a long flight, wear a mask and drink at least 1-2 liters of water. It’ll keep you hydrated better.
One thing not mentioned is generally you have hella more room in a train, and can even walk back to the club car, etc. on a plane you are crammed into a narrow seat that doesn’t recline. All that cramp Ed’s takes a toll
Jet lag comes from being in a different time zone. After a 14 hr flight you’re on the other side of the globe and your brain (and stomach and other things) are on a schedule that is 12 hours off from where the sun and society are. A 20 hour train journey in most cases puts you 1 or 2 hours off (and did it much more slowly over the course of a day).
I’ve been on a 12 hour train + bus ride i side the same timezone and had jetlag simply because I had to stay awake for too long
In disagreement with almost everyone else who describe is just related to timezone change I would say that Jetlag is the combination of:
Quick changes in timezone – Quick east-west movement
Changes in daylight length – Large changes in North South location even in the same timezone. These effect your body since it uses daylight to help regulate your body clock.
Travel stress and routine disruption. – Early start / late arrival on day of travel even when traveling short distances (2-3 hours) – This includes the stress of getting to airports on time, security etc which is inevitably worse than train travel
Aircraft environment – Air in aircraft is not pressured to sea level but approx 2500 meters (7000feet) to reduce stress on the fuselage and is kept at a lower humidity to prevent metal corrosion. This has an effect on your body which has to compensate and is tiring.
Concequentaly I would say its quite possible to get a degree of jetlag on a 2 hour flight that might only cross one timezone.
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