Planes reach near-record speeds due to intense Atlantic winds, outpace sound's velocity

According to Simple Flying, commercial planes usually maintain cruising speeds of roughly 559 miles per hour (approximately 899 km per hour). Still, due to high-altitude winds above the Atlantic, planes reached nearly 808 miles per hour (approximately 1300 km per hour) last weekend. This speed is faster than the sound's velocity.

The US National Weather Service reported that wind speeds in the District of Columbia, Washington, peaked at 165 miles per hour (approximately 265 km per hour). The highest speed recorded in that area was in 2002, hitting roughly 166 miles per hour (approximately 267 km per hour).

These robust winds result from contrasting temperatures. On Saturday, February 10, they originated from simultaneous warm and cool currents converging from the north and southeast of the country. These strong gusts propelled a Boeing 787 Virgin to a ground speed of 498 miles per hour (approximately 801 km per hour) and a Boeing 787 United to 520 miles per hour (approximately 836 km per hour).

The Virgin Atlantic aeroplane, departing from Washington-Dulles Airport, touched down in London 45 minutes early. At the same time, another plane flew from Newark, New Jersey, to Lisbon, arriving 20 minutes sooner than scheduled.

Although no official record of maximal ground speeds exists, The Washington Post suggests that the speeds of these two Saturday flights were near some of the highest ever documented. Comparable speeds were also achieved by a China Airlines flight in January (825 miles per hour or approximately 1328 km per hour) and a British Airways flight at 824 miles per hour (1327 km per hour in 2020.

Sources: Business Insider, The Washington Post