A powerful jetstream over the Atlantic today pushes commercial aircraft close to the ‘speed of sound’.
Planes flying from the East coast of Canada to Europe are taking benefits from a very strong jetstream.
Several commercial flights from the US to the UK are reaching the ground speed of 660 kts (1222 km/h).
British Airways Boeing 787-10 (reg. G-ZBLF) was reaching 660 kts when flying over Nova Scotia.
At 20 °C (68 °F), the speed of sound in air is about 343 meters per second (667 kts or 1,234 km/h or 767 mph).
Airspeed is the vector difference between the ground speed and the wind speed. On a perfectly still day, the airspeed is equal to the ground speed. But if the wind is blowing in the same direction that the aircraft is moving, the airspeed will be less than the ground speed.
The British Airways A350-1000 (reg. G-XWBF) from Las Vegas to London Heathrow took only 8h45 when it usually take almost 10 hours.
Storm Ciarán is expected to arrive in the UK and Ireland, France, and the Iberian peninsula on Wednesday night into Thursday. Gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) could be possible off the western coast of France before the severe winds filter through the Channel.