Storm Eowyn jet stream causes BA flight to soar to 814mph across the Atlantic

A British Airways (BA) travelling to the UK reached an extraordinary ground speed of 814mph.

An incredibly strong jet stream, bringing Storm Eowyn, was so powerful that the flight reached near-record speeds.

Flying from Las Vegas to Heathrow in London, according to Flight Radar, the BA flight approached the subsonic speed record of 835mph, travelling at just 21mph less.

The flight time between the two continents was an hour less due to the plane capitalising on the tailwind from the jet stream and soaring towards the UK at unusual speeds.

The jet stream can dramatically affect flights due to the fast-flowing, narrow air current.

The record speed was reached just in September last year when a flight from New York to Lisbon flew through the air at approximately 260mph, faster than normal for a commercial flight.

In these instances, the aircraft’s ground speeds are not classified as supersonic because they still fly at typical cruising speeds relative to the air.

So, while the planes travelled above the speed of sound relative to the ground, they were still technically subsonic relative to the air around them.

Storm Eowyn has brought gusts of 114mph to Ireland, and the has issued a for parts of the UK.

The red alerts are in place in Northern Ireland from 7am-2pm today, and Scotland from 10am-5pm.

Residents have been told to expect “flying debris resulting in danger to life, large waves and beach material being “thrown onto” coastal roads, sea fronts and homes and “very dangerous” driving conditions with fallen trees on roads.

Amber alerts are also in place for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, North West England, and North East England.

Storm Eowyn arrived in the UK this morning, with turbulent conditions expected to wreak travel chaos from 6am-9pm.

Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “We reserve the issuing of Red Warnings for the most severe weather which represents a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Éowyn.”

He added: “Storm Éowyn is a multi-hazard event, with snow likely for some, rain for many and strong wings for much of the UK. As a result, a number of weather warnings have been issued, with all parts of the UK covered by one warning at some point on Friday.”