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How High Does an Airplane Fly?
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An illustrated chart compares the typical flying altitudes of various airplanes, from small planes at 3,000-15,000 feet to supersonic and rocket-powered aircraft reaching up to 98,400 feet, with Mt. Everest included for scale. Cruising altitude
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How High Does an Airplane Fly?

Written by
Divya Dubey
Divya Dubey was an editor at Britannica, focusing on Chemistry content.
Divya Dubey
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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An illustrated chart compares the typical flying altitudes of various airplanes, from small planes at 3,000-15,000 feet to supersonic and rocket-powered aircraft reaching up to 98,400 feet, with Mt. Everest included for scale.
How high do airplanes fly? Altitude comparison of commercial, private, and military aircraftIllustration comparing airplane flight altitudes, from small aircraft and commercial jets to Gulfstream, NASA, U-2, and supersonic aircraft.

Aircraft fly at a wide range of altitudes, from about 3,000 to 98,400 feet (900 to 30,000 meters). Commercial airplanes on long-haul routes usually fly at cruising altitudes of about 30,000 to 40,000 feet (9,100 to 12,000 meters) above sea level. Some business jets can fly higher; for example, Gulfstream’s G700 is certified to fly at 51,000 feet (15,500 meters). Military and research aircraft fly higher still: The U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft can fly above 70,000 feet (21,300 meters), and NASA’s WB-57 research aircraft can operate above 65,000 feet (20,000 meters). Experimental aircraft, including some supersonic and rocket-powered aircraft, can soar up to about 98,400 feet (30,000 meters). At the lower end of the altitude range, commercial airplanes on short flights often cruise at about 25,000 to 35,000 feet (7,600 to 10,700 meters) because they do not remain airborne long enough to reach the higher cruising levels used on long-haul routes. Smaller planes, such as the Cessna Skyhawk, generally fly at altitudes between 3,000 and 15,000 feet (900 and 4,600 meters), though their exact operating altitudes vary by the purpose of the flight.

Cruising altitude
Cruising altitudeA commercial airplane cruising above the clouds.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. agency that regulates civil aviation, an aircraft’s optimum altitude depends on several factors, including its type, weight, flight distance, engine performance, weather conditions, and air-traffic control (ATC) instructions. Each type of aircraft also has a maximum operating altitude, called its service ceiling. This ceiling is limited by mechanical and safety factors, including the minimum outside air pressure at which the aircraft and its cabin pressurization system can operate safely.

High Altitudes and Cabin Pressure

Airplanes flying at high altitudes must maintain pressurized cabins because air pressure outside the aircraft drops with altitude, making normal breathing difficult and increasing the risk of hypoxia. Airplanes that fly at lower altitudes may operate without pressurized cabins, although pilots and passengers may need supplemental oxygen in some circumstances. U.S. federal regulations require pressurized transport airplanes to keep the cabin at a pressure altitude of no more than 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) under normal operating conditions.

Commercial airplanes flying long distances usually cruise at high altitudes for several practical reasons:

  1. The air is thinner at higher altitudes, so it creates less resistance, helping the airplane use less fuel and travel more efficiently.
  2. Flying high helps ATC route airplanes more efficiently and keep them safely separated from lower-flying aircraft such as helicopters or shorter-distance commercial planes.
  3. High altitudes keep airplanes well above mountains and other terrain, thereby reducing the risk of collisions. Higher altitudes may also help reduce the risk of bird strikes, adding an important safety margin.
  4. At higher altitudes airplanes avoid much of the turbulence caused by weather, which helps make flights more comfortable for passengers.
  5. In some emergencies being at a higher altitude can give pilots more time and distance to descend safely and choose an alternate landing option.
Divya Dubey