What was the fastest ship to cross the Atlantic?

The SS United States, which made its maiden voyage on this day in 1951, remains the fastest liner ever built, having taken just three days, 12 hours and 12 minutes to cross the Atlantic.



The record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by a commercial passenger ship is still held by the SS United States, which on its maiden voyage in 1952 crossed from New York to Cornwall in just 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes at an average speed of 35.59 knots. This earned it the prestigious "Blue Riband." However, in the realm of all sea vessels, the record is held by the Destriero, a 220-foot high-speed yacht that in 1992 made the crossing in 2 days, 10 hours, and 34 minutes at an incredible average speed of 53 knots. In the world of modern competitive sailing, as of early 2026, the MOD70 trimaran Argo holds the outright line honors record for the RORC Transatlantic Race, with a time of 4 days, 23 hours, and 51 minutes. While large cruise ships today are capable of speed, they typically prioritize fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, cruising at a much slower 20–24 knots.

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Some 200 years later, in the 1700s, sailing ships still needed at least six weeks to cross the Atlantic. But a new invention was on the way. During the 19th century, in 1845, Britain's steam-powered ship, the SS Great Britain, could make the whole journey in a breezy 14 days.

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The average speed of a modern cruise ship is roughly 20 knots (23 miles per hour), with maximum speeds reaching about 30 knots (34.5 miles per hour). How fast a ship is able to sail depends on several factors, including the power of its engines, the weather and the conditions at sea.

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On February 8th, 2020, the strong winds of Storm Ciara allowed a British Airways Boeing 747 operating flight BA 112, to fly from New York to London in just 4 hours and 56 minutes, a subsonic transatlantic record.

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If you're looking for the shortest flight from the US to Europe, look no further than the route from New York to St. John's, Newfoundland. This unique flight offers a convenient and efficient way to travel between the two continents, with a flight time of around 90 minutes.

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Cargo ships This is a non-sailing ship option that can take you across. Cargo ships usually rent out a few cabins to passengers. This costs a few thousand euros. Travelling with a cargo vessel can be a good alternative if you want to cross the ocean, don't like sailing, and do not want to fly.

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