00:00Your flight to Europe could get a major speed boost from the weather.
00:04Last week, a powerful jet stream over the Atlantic gave eastbound flights,
00:08a hefty tailwind, shortening trips, and helping save fuel.
00:11During similar weather patterns in recent years,
00:13some Atlantic crossings have had ground speeds easily exceeding 800 miles per hour,
00:19decreasing travel times by 30 to 60 minutes.
00:22Keep in mind, ground speed is different from air speed.
00:25Air speed is how fast a body moves relative to the surrounding air.
00:28Air Live reports British Airways Flight 252 from Nassau to London
00:34briefly exceeded its operating air speed limit by 7 to 10 knots.
00:38Pilots changed altitude, and the flight landed safely.
00:42A steady tailwind alone typically doesn't cause overspeed, but sudden wind changes can.
00:47Why does this matter?
00:48Well, excessive airspeed can strain the aircraft and affect control.
00:53Those limits preserve a safety margin, and pilots act to protect it.
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