Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Strong jet stream means faster transatlantic flights

09:00
8 August 2024

Travelling eastbound?
Strong jet stream means faster flights

The current strong jet stream at 300 hPa (roughly a height of 30,000 feet).

As the jet stream powers across the Atlantic, it's a great time for a transatlantic flight, depending on your direction of course.

The jet stream has been ramping up in recent days, driving in unsettled spells and low pressure systems to the UK and Ireland from across the Atlantic.

However it's not all bad news. With the jet stream strengthening west to east across the Atlantic, it's a good time to be on an eastbound flight over from the US over to Europe.

A strong jet stream is good for a tailwind, as planes usually fly at a height range of 30,000 feet to 42,000 feet, with the jet stream also located at around 30,000 feet.

Pilots often use the jet stream to their advantage where they can, being pushed with the strength of the flow and sometimes being able to cut the time of a flight down.

A westbound flight on the other hand, travelling from Europe to the US, would produce a headwind and likely some bumpy turbulence along the way within that strong jet stream flow.

Likely more turbulence as world warmsread more
More on the topic
Severe weather hits Mallorca and Italy. Severe thunderstorms. . . Thursday, 10 September 2026
Numerous thunderstorms are sweeping across La Palma. The many lightning symbols on the radar and lightning map show that there is heavy lightning activity across large parts of the island. The thunderstorms are striking particularly in the island’s interior and in the south. On the right, you can see the aftermath: a large fallen tree has buried a car beneath it. Emergency services are clearing up the damage. So, along with the thunderstorms, not only heavy rain but also gusts of wind can become a problem.
Thursday, 10 September 2026

Severe thunderstorms

Severe weather hits Mallorca and Italy
Severe weather in the Mediterranean. Is a medicane on the way?. . . Monday, 14 September 2026
A weather map shows a powerful low-pressure system over the Mediterranean, with warning symbols for storms and heavy rain.
Monday, 14 September 2026

Is a medicane on the way?

Severe weather in the Mediterranean
Colourful skies and scenic clouds cover. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 20 September 2026
Split image showing a golden sunset over the sea beneath layered clouds and a pink-purple sunset reflected across calm riverside water.
Sunday, 20 September 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Colourful skies and scenic clouds cover
All weather news
This might also interest you
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. 40 °C in July?. . . Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday, 30 June 2026

40 °C in July?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList