Low-cost airline Norwegian has set a new record time for the fastest ever transatlantic flight by a subsonic passenger aircraft using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Norwegian flight DY7014 from New York JFK to London Gatwick on Monday January 15th completed the full duration of the flight in five hours and 13 minutes – the fastest transatlantic flight recorded on a subsonic commercial aircraft.
The flight carrying 284 passengers departed New York at 11:44 and arrived at London at 21:57 – 53 minutes early.
The flight benefitted from strong tailwinds over the Atlantic Ocean that reached a maximum of 176 knots (202mph).
The tailwinds pushed the aircraft to a top speed of 776mph during the flight.
Captain Harold van Dam took command of the record-breaking transatlantic flight from New York to London
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft (G-CKHL) used on the record-breaking transatlantic flight adorns British tail fin hero Amy Johnson, a pioneering pilot who was the first female to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930.
Captain Harold van Dam at Norwegian said: “The 787 Dreamliner is a pleasure to fly and it’s a great feeling to know that we have set a new record in this aircraft.
“We were actually in the air for just over five hours and if it had not been for forecasted turbulence at lower altitude, we could have flown even faster.”