A common question that many commercial frequent flyers wonder is, “How high do airplanes go?” This is not a bizarre question, and it’s not surprising that many people wonder about this. It is clear that some planes cruise higher than others, though this depends on how far the flight is traveling.
The logistics of flying can be a bit of a mystery to people who are not involved in that world. This is why Sheffield School of Aeronautics is here to give you some insight into how high commercial flights get in the air. Keep reading to learn more about airplanes’ max altitudes as well as the dynamics of cruising altitude.
Sheffield School of Aeronautics is a flight dispatcher school that specializes in teaching aircraft dispatching and offers many online flight dispatcher courses. Have you ever wondered, “How high do airplanes go?” We have put together this guide to inform you about the max altitude for commercial airplanes, and we also discuss why cruising altitude is so important. The next time you take a commercial flight, you might be able to point out the different steps of the ascent, descent, and cruising level.
Max Altitude for Commercial Airplanes
The maximum height that a commercial airplane is allowed to reach when they fly is 42,000 feet, as this is the universally approved maximum altitude. This max altitude for airplanes is known as the “service ceiling.” Most commercial air jets fly at such a high altitude because it is known to optimize efficiency. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner, making it easier for the aircraft to be controlled. Additionally, it is easier to go faster while using less fuel to get the passengers to their destinations in a timely manner. The factor of time is important for all commercial aircraft so as to not have any changes to their schedules.
What Is Cruising Altitude?
A plane’s cruising altitude is typically very clear to passengers when the plane is in the stages of take-off and touch-down. You might notice that the flight attendants typically won’t begin their drink and snack rounds until well after take-off. This is because they are waiting until the pilot has hit their cruising altitude. Once cruising altitude is hit, the pilots may also turn off the fasten seatbelt sign because it is the safest time to move around the cabin.
The cruising altitude of a commercial airplane depends on the size of the airplane but is generally once the plane hits 30,000 to 40,000 feet in the air. Often, short-haul flights will cruise lower than this because, by the time they have ascended, they will need to almost immediately begin their descent.
More About Sheffield School of Aeronautics
Sheffield School of Aeronautics is an experienced flight dispatcher school that is here to make sure that our students receive the best training possible for their careers. We are here to answer your questions, including “How high do airplanes go?” If you are looking for a flight dispatch course, our classrooms and professors are some of the most cutting-edge available. This translates to our airline dispatcher school being ready to ensure that you can accomplish the aeronautics career that you desire. Contact us today to learn more about international flight planning, flight plans for private planes, or becoming an FAA dispatcher.
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FAQs
The cruising altitude of a commercial airplane depends on the size of the airplane but is generally once the plane hits 30,000 to 40,000 feet in the air. Often, short-haul flights will cruise lower than this because, by the time they have ascended, they will need to almost immediately begin their descent.
How high up do airplanes go? ›
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. When the air is thinner, planes can fly faster and more efficiently, using less fuel to maintain the speed required to develop lift.
How high do flight levels go? ›
Flight level is a type of altitude used in aviation above a certain altitude, typically 18,000 feet above mean sea level. It is the altitude above the standard datum plane in 100-foot increments.
How high does a 737-800 fly? ›
The maximum cruising altitude for the new generation of 737 planes is 41,000 feet. At this altitude, 737 jets can still have great fuel efficiency and safety standards thanks to avoiding powerful winds and bad weather. However, its optimal altitude is around 37,000 feet.
What is the minimum height for aircraft? ›
"An altitude of 500 feet above the surface except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In that case, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure."
Can planes fly at 50,000 feet? ›
The highest altitude a commercial jetliner can reach is approximately 45,000 feet, while corporate aircraft can fly slightly above 50,000 feet, but only if they are specifically designed for that purpose. Achieving an altitude of 60,000 feet would necessitate super-efficient engines and glider-like wings.
How high is too high to fly? ›
Some business jets can soar up to 15,000 meters, while most military aircraft can fly at this altitude or even a little higher. However, these aircraft tend to stay below 15,000 feet for safety reasons, as the air can become too thin and make it impossible to burn aviation fuel continuously.
What is the highest flight height? ›
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.
What is a level 7 flight Simulator? ›
FTD Level 5 - specific class of aircraft [S/E, M/E etc] / meets a specific FTD design criteria. FTD Level 6 - high fidelity / aircraft specific / specific aerodynamic modelling. FTD Level 7 - helicopters only / all controls & systems modeled / vibration system / visual system.
How high does airspace go? ›
Class A airspace is generally the airspace from 18,000 feet (~3.4 miles, 5.5 km) mean sea level (MSL) up to and including flight level (FL) 600 (~11.4 miles, 18.3 km), including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles (NM) (~13.8 miles, 22.2 km) of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska.
Some fighter jets, such as the F-15, can reach altitudes of up to 65,000 feet (19,812 meters), while others, such as the F-22, can reach altitudes of up to 60,000 feet (18,288 meters).
How high do helicopters fly? ›
A helicopter model can reach as high as 25,000 feet of altitude in ideal scenarios, with several of the highest-flying helicopters in history setting records at more than 40,000 feet! However, as most regular models are usually not equipped for such extreme altitudes, 10,000 feet has become the norm.
How high do Cessna 172 fly? ›
How high can you fly in a Cessna 172? Modern Cessna 172's have a maximum altitude of 13,000ft - 15,000ft. Anything over 10,000ft is known as the transition layer, and pilots should not cruise above this altitude. For long haul flights, it's recommended to cruise at 9,500ft and 4,500ft for short flights.
Do pilots have a height limit? ›
Myth: You Can't Be Too Tall or Short to Fly
Extremely tall or short individuals might face challenges fitting comfortably in certain co*ckpits or military aircraft. In civilian aviation, however, there are no restrictions on height, and you only need to demonstrate that you can operate an aircraft safely.
What is legal flight height? ›
Flying below the legal height limit of 120m (400ft) will reduce the risk of coming across other aircraft, which normally fly higher than this. Always look and listen out for other aircraft that may be flying below 120m (400ft), such as air ambulances, police helicopters, and low-flying military aircraft.
What is the lowest safe altitude? ›
In aviation (particularly in air navigation), lowest safe altitude (LSALT) is an altitude that is at least 500 feet above any obstacle or terrain within a defined safety buffer region around a particular route that a pilot might fly.
What is the average elevation of a plane? ›
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.
Do planes go into the stratosphere? ›
Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid turbulence and increased atmospheric drag, which are common in the troposphere below. Air is roughly a thousand times thinner at the top of the stratosphere than it is at sea level. The stratosphere is very dry air, containing little water vapor.
Do planes fly over Everest? ›
Everest is 29,000 feet high, and airliners can fly above 40,000 feet, so they are certainly capable of it. However, typical flight routes do not travel above Everest as the mountains create unforgiving weather and poor options in an emergency.
Can you see a plane at 35,000 feet from the ground? ›
What prevents us from seeing an airplane at 35,000 ft from 230 miles away? Other than the difficulty of seeing through 230 miles of atmosphere, not much. Unless your eye was literally at ground level, the aircraft would be above the horizon.
