How High Do Planes Fly?
Aeroplanes have changed our lives by making faraway places easy to reach. A key aspect of flying is how high aeroplanes go, which affects everything from safety to fuel usage. From jumbo jets to military planes and personal aircraft, let’s dive into the world of flight altitudes.
Commercial Airplanes: The Heights They Reach
Cruising Altitude: The What and Why
Most of a flight is spent at cruising altitude. This is a sweet spot that helps save fuel, keep the ride smooth, and steer clear of bad weather. The plane can also take advantage of the wind at these heights.
Typical Heights for Different Commercial Planes
- Planes that Fly Slower Than Sound
These are planes like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. They usually fly between 30,000 and 40,000 feet up (about 9,000 to 12,000 meters). These are the planes you usually take for shorter trips. - Big Planes for Long Trips
These planes, like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350, fly between 35,000 and 45,000 feet (10,500 to 13,700 meters). They fly higher to cut down on air resistance. - Super-Fast Planes
The Concorde, a super-fast plane that isn’t flying anymore, used to fly over 50,000 feet high (15,000 meters). Any future super-fast planes will likely fly this high too.
