Airplanes approach to a landing at an airspeed (relative speed of the aircraft passing through the air) recommended by the aircraft manufacturer. If an aircraft approaches too fast, it may not have enough runway to stop. If it approaches too slowly, there may not be enough air flow over the wing and the wing may stall, causing the wing to lose lift and the aircraft to descend or enter a spin. On larger aircraft, the approach airspeed varies according to the airplane weight at landing. An airplane approaching at 100 miles per hour into a 20 mile per hour headwind is traveling over the ground at only 80 miles per hour, resulting in a slower groundspeed at touchdown, requiring less runway and less braking to stop.

An aircraft taking off into a 20 mile per hour headwind will reach takeoff (rotation) airspeed in a shorter distance over-the-ground than an aircraft taking off in a calm wind or tailwind. With a headwind, the aircraft will also climb at a steeper angle, when compared to its movement over the ground, helping it climb over obstacles at the end of the runway.