Title: How High Can Commercial Passenger Planes Fly? - Simple Flying
Headings: How High Can Commercial Passenger Planes Fly?
How High Can Commercial Passenger Planes Fly?
Limits set for commercial aircraft
Why fly so high?
Why don’t aircraft fly higher?
Some aircraft can fly higher
Justin Hayward

Content: For optimal operation, most aircraft will be guided to fly slightly lower than this, typically around 35,000 feet. Why fly so high? There are several reasons why airlines would want to fly their planes at such altitudes. The primary purpose of such operations is to optimize efficiency. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner. This produces less resistance, allowing the aircraft to fly faster using less fuel. Jet engines also operate more efficiently at a higher altitude, as they can be run closer to their maximum capabilities. Flying at higher altitudes can help increase an aircraft’s efficiency. Photo: Jake Hardiman – Simple Flying
The exact height chosen for a given flight will also depend on wind conditions.