How High Does an Airplane Fly?

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

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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

How High Does an Airplane Fly?: Media

Images

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 aircraft

Illustration comparing airplane flight altitudes, from small aircraft and commercial...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Lucia Barnum

Cruising altitude

Cruising altitude

A commercial airplane cruising above the clouds.

© Aaron Foster–The Image Bank/Getty Images