Passenger planes flying east over the Atlantic Ocean are currently experiencing speeds more than 200 mph faster than normal, thanks to the powerful jet stream. This phenomenon has resulted in significantly reduced flight times for travelers heading from the US to Europe.

The jet stream, known for its ability to cut down travel times on west-to-east long haul flights, is working overtime at the moment, with speeds reaching equivalent levels to that of sound. NASA states that sound travels at approximately 761 mph or 1,100 feet per second under standard conditions. In the past 24 hours, eastbound passenger aircraft crossing the Atlantic have achieved speeds of up to 778 mph, which is more than 200 mph faster than usual cruising speeds.

It's important to note that although these flights are reaching exceptional speeds, they have not broken the sound barrier. The discrepancy lies in the difference between ground speed and indicated airspeed. While these flights are impressive, they didn't quite match the supersonic capabilities of the Concorde, which was famous for its sonic booms.

Nevertheless, flight times have been significantly reduced as a result of the strong jet stream. For instance, Emirates flight 222 from Dallas to Dubai arrived 57 minutes early on November 1, achieving a top speed of 675 knots (777 mph) off the coast of Newfoundland. American Airlines flight 106 from JFK to Heathrow arrived 54 minutes early on Wednesday morning, completing the journey in just six hours and seven minutes, with a top speed of 778 mph (676 knots). Delta flight 186, on its route from Los Angeles to London, reached speeds of 760 mph and arrived half an hour early on November 1 at 1.08 p.m.

The jet stream is a band of strong winds located around five to seven miles above the Earth's surface, blowing from west to east. This phenomenon explains why eastbound flights tend to be shorter than their westbound counterparts. Aircraft at cruising altitude easily enter the jet stream, experiencing the benefits of its bolstered speeds.

The recent drop in temperature in the United States, coupled with Storm Ciaran on its way to Europe, has intensified the jet stream. CNN meteorologist Sara Tonks explains that the surge of cold air in the US has increased the temperature difference between the country and the warm Atlantic Ocean, amplifying the speed of the jet stream. This weather pattern is expected to strengthen Storm Ciaran, a low-pressure system and potential bomb cyclone that will reach Europe imminently.

While these flights have achieved remarkable speeds, they still have yet to surpass pre-pandemic record-breaking flights. In February 2019, a Virgin Atlantic plane reached a speed of 801 mph from Los Angeles to London, utilizing a 200 mph jet stream over Pennsylvania. However, it slowed down to 710 mph once over the ocean. A British Airways Boeing 747 broke this record the following year by clocking in at 825 mph on a New York to London flight. These extraordinary speeds have considerably reduced travel times, providing passengers with faster and more efficient journeys.

As the jet stream continues to propel planes at unprecedented speeds, passengers can benefit from shorter travel times and potentially enjoy more comfortable flights, thanks to the speedy assistance of this natural atmospheric phenomenon.