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
Temperature map of the UK and western Europe showing intense red and orange heat across southern Britain, with temperatures reaching 31°C near London and a large thermometer icon beside the map.
Friday, 22 May 2026

Highs over 30 degrees

Unusually warm for the long weekend
Temperature Radar forecast for Friday in Europe. Very high temperatures across Spain and Eastern Europe, slightly cooler in the north and west.
Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Over 30 degrees in places

Early summer gets underway in Europe
Weather map of the USA showing an active thunderstorm front between Kansas City and Minneapolis. Numerous lightning symbols indicate severe thunderstorms, along with a severe weather warning symbol.
Monday, 18 May 2026

Tornadoes possible

Dangerous thunderstorm front over the US
All weather news
This might also interest you
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday, 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
Illustration of white and yellow fireworks on a blue background.
Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Hello 2026

Happy New Year
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