Boeing 747 battles strong 55mph crosswind to launch into an extremely short takeoff
Published on Dec 04, 2025 at 9:29 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Dec 04, 2025 at 9:25 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This Boeing 747 battles with powerful crosswinds as it manages a super short takeoff, which sees it soaring into the sky at an extreme angle.
Wild weather conditions are all just part of the job for pilots aboard commercial aircraft, as this clip taken by Topfelya perfectly demonstrates.
The footage, which was shot at London Gatwick back in 2017, shows a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 soaring into the sky while being battered with 55mph head winds.
The plane’s pilot pulls off such a top-notch short takeoff that it looks as though the Boeing is lifted into the sky by forces above it. Impressive stuff.
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With a background in both local and national press in the UK, Claire moved to New Zealand before joining the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in May 2024. As a Senior Content Writer working on New Zealand Standard Time (NZST), Claire was the first writer on the team to make the site’s output a slick 24/7 operation covering the latest in automotive news.
