Richard Branson sets record for fastest crossing of the Atlantic

The record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic, established in 1952 by the luxury liner United States and awarded the Blue Ribband for this achievement, is broken by British businessman Richard Branson. His Virgin Atlantic Challenger is powered by two MTU 12-cylinder engines from the 396 series with 1,441 kW / 1,960 hp each and covers the 5,500 km distance from New York to the Bishop Rock lighthouse near the Isles of Scilly, UK, in 3 days, 8 hours and 31 minutes.