In 1912, the only way to cross the Atlantic Ocean was by ship. The trip took almost six days to complete. More people were traveling at this time and each new ocean liner was the fastest, the biggest, or the best ship to ever be built.

In 1912, the "Golden Age" of ocean liners, a standard transatlantic crossing from Europe to New York typically took between 5 to 7 days. The fastest ships of the era, like the Mauretania and Lusitania, competed for the "Blue Riband" for the fastest crossing, often achieving the journey in just under 5 days (at speeds of about 25–26 knots). The RMS Titanic, while designed more for luxury and size than record-breaking speed, was expected to complete its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in approximately 6 to 7 days. It departed on April 10, 1912, and was scheduled to arrive on the morning of April 17. Because these massive steam-powered vessels had to navigate unpredictable North Atlantic weather and ice fields, arrival times were often "estimates" rather than guarantees. This 1912 travel time represents a massive leap from the early 19th century, when sailing packets took 3 to 6 weeks to make the same crossing, yet it remains a stark contrast to 2026, where a flight from London to New York takes only 7 to 8 hours.