n88kb From Australia, joined Jun 2010, 53 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2074 times:
Hi everyone,
The picture below prompted me to ask if LH tend to cruise slower than other airlines. A few years ago I was on a BA 777 crossing the Atlantic to JFK and we passed a LH 343 like it was standing still. It was a little higher than us like the LH 744 in the picture. I know there alot of variables that determine cruise speed and was wondering if this a coincedence or does LH actually fly slower.
SASMD82 From Netherlands, joined Mar 2007, 549 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2019 times:
Are you sure this is an A340-300? I think it is a LH 747-400. The KL machine might had to gain some extra speed to comensate some delay. Maybe the LH bird departed from FRA before their actual departure time and did not have to fly at their maximum cruising speed. A lot of factors determine an aircraft's speed.
Both the A340s as well as the A330 fly slower than the Boeing 747 and 777.
Speedbird741 From Portugal, joined Aug 2008, 654 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1985 times:
Quoting n88kb (Thread starter): was wondering if this a coincedence or does LH actually fly slower.
Just a coincidence. Optimal cruise speeds and altitudes are a function of many variables that range from cost index, to weight, to winds. Further, potential departure delays could prompt crews to select higher cruising speeds.
Quoting n88kb (Thread starter): A few years ago I was on a BA 777 crossing the Atlantic to JFK and we passed a LH 343 like it was standing still.
That's generally the case given the A340s smaller typical cruise speed. I'd take the A340 over the 777 any day though
Quoting LY777 (Reply 1): Are you sure this is an A340-300? I think it is a LH 747-400
It is a 744 and the OP did mention that.
Speedbird741
Boa noite Faro, Air Portugal 257 climbing flight level 340
Due to the high fuel costs the cruise speeds got reduced now. We usually fly 0.84 on the 744 and the A340 usually only 0.80 or 0.81. That's why it is pretty easy to overtake an A340
rduguy From United States of America, joined Aug 2011, 37 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 1923 times:
Quoting SASMD82 (Reply 2): Are you sure this is an A340-300? I think it is a LH 747-400.
N88KB is saying that this picture reminds him of something that happened with him in the past. But is just using this picture is an example. He clearly states a valid question, in which he is wondering if LH overall, on all a/c has a lower cruising speed.
wilco737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8476 posts, RR: 78 Reply 6, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1900 times:
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And it could be that one airplane was ahead of schedule and reduced the speed to save more fuel and the other was late and was doing M0.87? Could happen as well.
I overtake the 340s, 330s, 767s all the time with the 744 Only the 777 is sometimes difficult to beat when they do 0.84 and we do 0.85 or 0.86, then it takes a lot longer.
SASMD82 From Netherlands, joined Mar 2007, 549 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1842 times:
On the contrary, I flew a A346 of LH on the FRA-ICN leg and we overtook a company B744 (FRA-BJS).
The 747 left the gate (which was next to us) 2 minutes earlier and took off just before us. When we passeed WAW, we flew next to each other (2,000 or 3,000 feet below us) and by the time we passed Minsk we obtained a significant gain. After we passed Moscow, we were not able to see the 747 anymore (sunset).
I had to check what BJS is, never heard that before
Quoting SASMD82 (Reply 9): The 747 left the gate (which was next to us) 2 minutes earlier and took off just before us. When we passeed WAW, we flew next to each other (2,000 or 3,000 feet below us) and by the time we passed Minsk we obtained a significant gain. After we passed Moscow, we were not able to see the 747 anymore (sunset).
Sure that can happen. The 340s fly higher than the 744 at the beginning of their flights. And I guess they had a lot better wind up there and maybe the 340 was in a hurry and flew faster and the 744 flew slower. Then that is possible without any doubt.
musapapaya From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 1004 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1647 times:
Funny enough, if you compare similar schedules of LH and other airlines (both long haul and short haul flights), you can see LH usually have their shorter scheduled times.
Take for example, LHR-FRA - LH sends their A320 series and scheduled time is 1:35, however, BA gives the same route 1:45, similar can be said for FRA-LHR too.
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