How high do planes fly? (2024)

FAQs

How high do planes fly? ›

On average, you will find most commercial airliners flying anywhere from about 31,000 feet to 42,000 feet. That is equivalent to 5.9 to 7.2 miles in the air.

Cruising altitude isn't actually a fixed number — there are many factors that go into computing this for every flight. That said, planes generally fly at higher altitudes — usually between 30,000 to 42,000 feet — because the air gets thinner the higher you go.

However, some planes are designed to fly at much higher altitudes. For example, the U-2, a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, is able to fly at altitudes of up to 70,000 feet (21,336 meters). The X-15, a rocket-powered research plane, was able to reach altitudes of up to 354,200 feet (108,000 meters).

The maximum height a passenger plane can fly varies depending on the type of aircraft. Most commercial airliners are certified to fly up to 42,000 feet (12,800 meters). This is because the air is thinner at high altitudes, which reduces drag and allows the aircraft to fly more efficiently.

Temperature at 35000 feet : -56.2 °F. Remember: this is for 59 °F at 2640 ft , not 59 °F at sea level.

“Having been on Concorde, and been at 60,000 feet, you can see it pretty clearly there.”

For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL.

If a passenger jet flies too high, it reaches a point called 'Coffin Corner'. This is the point at which the aircraft's low speed stall and high-speed buffet meet and the plane can no longer maintain its altitude which forces it to descend.

A few airplanes have exceeded this altitude, but were only able to do so momentarily… they were unable to sustain level flight at that high altitude. The current altitude record, I believe, for sustained level flight by an airplane is about 97,000 feet — a record set by the Helios “flying wing” airplane.

As planes climb, the air becomes thinner, meaning there's less oxygen for both the engines and the passengers. To address this, cabins are pressurized to maintain comfortable oxygen levels. If an aircraft ascends too high—above 45,000 feet—it could encounter performance issues.

What is the maximum height a fly can fly? ›

At 10,000 meters (40,000 feet), the air temperature is -50°C. At such temperatures, the tiny muscles of flies or bees don't work anymore to keep their wings beating. It's then no wonder that the highest altitude scientists have ever found insects — some flies and butterflies — is at around 6,000 meters (20,000 feet).

Commercial passenger jets fly at a cruise altitude of 35,000 feet or 10,670 meters or 6.3 miles. Commercial passenger planes can fly as high as 41,000 - 43,100 feet, this is called the aircraft's service ceiling.

The average cruising airspeed for a commercial passenger jets is 480 to 575 mph or 770 to 930 km/h (between Mach 0.74 and Mach 0.8).

Why Do Planes Avoid Pacific Ocean? Most commercial airlines that travel between East Asia and the Americas avoid flying over the Pacific Ocean due to high costs and safety concerns, such as the risk of flying during stormy weather.

Many planes are equipped with deicing equipment that melts away any ice from their wings or tail fins to prevent this from happening. Deicing equipment includes heated surfaces inside the plane, such as exhaust pipes. It could also contain chemical sprays that prevent ice from forming in the first place.

These aircraft use jet fuel that can begin to freeze at -43°C (-45°F). Regardless of which type of aircraft you fly, you want to ensure that any and all water has been removed from the fuel tanks during your preflight inspection.

On average, you will find most commercial airliners flying anywhere from about 31,000 feet to 42,000 feet. That is equivalent to 5.9 to 7.2 miles in the air. Smaller aircraft, whether commercially operated or not, will fly at lower altitudes, often below 15,000 feet.

Congestion and Traffic: Commercial Aircraft: Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet. At these altitudes, there is significant air traffic, particularly along major air routes.

Yes it is possible to see an airplane flying at 35,000 feet if the sky is very clear in the day time. You can also use a powerful telescope or binocular or use a good telephoto lens on your DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera or Mirror-less camera to take clear photos.

white was the first pilot to fly any aircraft faster than mach 4, 5 and 6, as well as the first to fly above 200,000 and 300,000 feet. he set the only official world record of the X-15 program when he flew to 314,750 feet on July 17, 1962, a fédération aéronautique internationale altitude record that still stands.