Fly West

Fly West is a common metaphorical expression often used to denote death, particularly within the context of aviation or a journey. It carries a sense of finality and departure from the earthly realm. The phrase suggests a leaving of the world towards the setting sun, which symbolizes the end of life's journey.

The imagery evokes the feeling of a pilot embarking on a final flight, heading towards the horizon and disappearing from view. It's a euphemistic way of speaking about mortality, offering a less harsh and potentially more poetic description of passing away.

The term may be used in obituaries, memorials, or in general conversation when discussing someone who has died, especially if the deceased had a connection to flying, travel, or a free-spirited lifestyle. It can also appear in literature or film to symbolize the death of a character.

The exact origins of the phrase are difficult to pinpoint, but its usage is believed to have increased particularly during and after periods of significant air travel, such as World War I and World War II, when aviation became more prominent in people's lives and deaths. The association of flying with freedom and escape contributes to its use as a metaphor for death.