Is it possible for a regular passenger jet to break the sound barrier by riding on a really fast jet stream? How do jet streams form in the first place? Do they change throughout the year? How are they related to the polar vortex? How do commercial aircraft make use of the jet stream? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: warshadow, hugepilchard, stknrdr, burninatingpeasants and hemlockone To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: [email protected]