Passenger Live-Tracking Plane’s Speed During Takeoff Goes Viral

A video showing a passenger tracking the speed of an airplane in real time using a smartphone app during takeoff has gone viral on TikTok.
The video was posted by @bevis999 and has amassed over 5.3 million views since it was first shared on August 20. The passenger used the Speedometer app to live-track the speed as the aircraft took off from London’s Stansted Airport.
The caption on the video posed a question: “What speed does an airplane do for takeoff?”
The video begins with a hand holding up a mobile phone, which displays the plane’s speed in miles per hour. The plane starts at around seven mph as it taxis on the runway, then the speed quickly escalates into the double digits. As the aircraft picks up speed, the numbers climb steadily, soon surpassing 100 mph. At one point, the speed reaches approximately 140 mph while the plane is still on the ground.
In the final moments of the video, as the plane begins to lift off the runway, the app shows the speed hitting 170 mph. The aircraft eventually reaches around 187 mph at takeoff just as the video ends.
In the past 24 hours, 180,148 flight arrivals were posted, FlightAware, the live flight-tracking website, reported on Friday.
Travel is expected to reach “record highs” this year, with global tourism spending forecast to hit U.S. $2 trillion, according to a December 2023 survey by Euromonitor International, the market research company.
While it’s unknown which aircraft was used on the Jet2.com flight in the viral clip, as well as whether the plane was at full passenger capacity, takeoff speeds can vary depending on a few factors.
In April, a pilot shared a video on Instagram showing a cockpit view of a Boeing aircraft lifting off from a runway at its maximum takeoff weight.
In a caption shared with the post, he said, “Taking off with a maximum take-off weight of just over 410,000 kilograms [308,600 pounds], including 140,000 kilograms of jet fuel and close to 100,000 kilograms of cargo on board.
“I align the enormous 747-400 [Boeing plane] at the beginning of runway 25L—we’re going to need every centimeter of the 3,800-meter-long [4,155 yards] runway today,” the caption continues.
The nose of the plane was pulled upward as it reached 325 km/h (around 202 mph), and “within seconds, the landing gear is off the ground.” The speed stabilized at around 352 km/h (around 219 mph) over the South China Sea.
TikTok users expressed their amazement at the speeds captured in the video, with one user, LisaD, remarking, “I’ve always wondered that.”
Some TikTok users commented on the factors that affect the velocity. One commenter, Alfie720s gt3x, wrote, “It depends on the aircraft and what engines,” while Spanish Cinnamon Latte said, “Depends on the type of airplane and the capacity load.”
Other viewers expressed their fascination with the experience of takeoff. The hitman and her commented, “I do this every time. You must be as mad as me.”
Meanwhile, suki16423 echoed the general sentiment of surprise, writing, “Wow, I knew it was fast, but faster than expected.”
For others, the moment captured was a reminder of the joy and excitement of air travel. User kate commented, “Love take-off! This vid makes me smile.” The original poster responded, “Love the beginning! When you’re pushed back into your seat!”
Another user, ᎠᎾᎷ, enthusiastically shared a similar experience, saying, “I love that feeling sooooo much it feels so cool.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. The video has not been independently verified.
Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via [email protected] and your story could be featured on Newsweek.