During this time of year, the upper winds known as the jet stream cross the Atlantic from west to east, often speeding up transatlantic flights and shortening their durations. This instance saw the phenomenon lift five passenger aircraft to remarkable speeds, with some reaching up to 1,287 km/h.
One of the airplanes highlighted in the footage was a Virgin Atlantic flight from Washington to London on a Saturday. The aircraft reached 802 miles per hour (1,290.69 km/h), about 40% faster than a typical cruising speed of 925 km/h, underscoring how powerful jet stream winds can be.
The winds reached 426 km/h at an altitude of 10,668 meters above Washington. The Virgin Atlantic flight arrived in London 45 minutes ahead of schedule. A passenger’s camera captured the cabin moments of awe as the aircraft sped toward its peak velocities.
Another flight, United Airlines Flight 64 from Newark to Lisbon, which departed at 8:35 PM on Saturday, was also affected by these currents, streaking through the sky at about 835 miles per hour near the east coast and touching down in Lisbon roughly 20 minutes early. Additionally, American Airlines Flight 120 from Philadelphia to Doha, Qatar, came close to the sound barrier, recording a maximum speed of 840 mph.
No injuries were reported
Despite the extreme speeds reached, the aircraft withstood the conditions and no injuries were recorded.