Why Do Planes Fly So High?
Have you ever wondered why passenger jets fly so high especially during a long-haul flight? Wouldn’t it be more efficient and quicker to get back on the ground if you fly lower? Commercial planes usually cruise between 30,000 and 42,000 feet depending on the route and other traffic.
It takes about 15 to 30 minutes for a plane to reach this altitude after takeoff. The reason why they do this is because of the improved engine and fuel efficiency. The higher you go, the thinner the air which allows the aircraft to travel faster while burning less fuel. Fuel costs as you know are the number one operation costs for an airline and they will do anything to bring them down.