Jet Stream Boosts Trans-Atlantic Flights to Unprecedented Speeds
Flights traveling from the US to Europe are benefiting from a strong jet stream over the Atlantic Ocean, reaching speeds of nearly 780 mph. While these speeds are not breaking the sound barrier, they have significantly reduced flight times. The jet stream, a core of strong winds blowing from west to east, is amplified by temperature differences caused by the cooling weather in the US. Storm Ciaran is expected to be strengthened by the jet stream as it reaches Europe. Despite the current fast flights, previous records set pre-pandemic were even higher, with a Virgin Atlantic plane reaching 801 mph and a British Airways Boeing 747 reaching 825 mph.