Norwegian Air claims record for shortest transatlantic flight, propelled by 200 mph tailwinds

A bunch of lucky passengers may have made aviation history this week on a Norwegian Air Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight from New York to London. The plane rode tailwinds of more than 200 mph on Jan. 15, allowing it to make the trip in just 5 hours and 13 minutes.

According to Norwegian Air, that's the fastest transatlantic trip ever for a subsonic commercial aircraft. 

SEE ALSO: Planes flew from New York to London at near-supersonic speeds due to powerhouse jet stream

Those tailwinds — which hit 202 mph, according to Norwegian — propelled the plane to a top speed of 776 mph relative to the ground, also known as its groundspeed. The Dreamliner is the fuel-efficient plane Boeing unveiled in 2007. It boasts more leg room and larger windows than your average commercial jetliner, smart LED lighting, and the use of lightweight composite materials. Read more...

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