Atlanta to London: what the ATL to LHR corridor looks like
- Departure
- Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, the United States
- Arrival
- London Heathrow Airport, London, the United Kingdom
- Great-circle distance
- 6,761 km (3,651 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 8h 22m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL340 to FL400
- Initial track
- northeast bound
Route overview
The ATL to LHR sector connects Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, the United States, with London Heathrow Airport in London, the United Kingdom. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 6,761 km apart, roughly 3,651 nautical miles, which is close to 8h 22m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is northeast bound, and the middle of the route sits in mid latitude latitudes.
Jet stream along the track
Along the way the track passes over the open Atlantic and high latitude airspace where the polar jet stream lives. Most of the cruise on this corridor runs close to the polar jet stream. Clear air turbulence forms in the shear zone at the jet boundary, so crews watch the forecast wind field and pick the track and level that keep them clear of it. When bumps do appear they tend to arrive in short bands rather than lasting for hours.
Cruise altitudes on this sector
Long haul crews normally start cruise around FL340, then step climb toward FL380 or FL400 as the aircraft burns off fuel and can hold a higher level. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.
Seasonal pattern
Seasonally, the polar jet stream is strongest in the northern winter, so flights between November and March meet more clear air turbulence than the same route in June or September.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the ATL to LHR track is uncomfortable and entirely within what the aircraft is built for. Wings are designed to flex, the flight is planned around the forecast, and the crew adjusts level or track when it helps. The live forecast above shows the current picture for this corridor so there are fewer surprises on the day.