Ever wondered just how fast a commercial airplane is actually going? It’s a question that pops into many people’s minds as they’re soaring through the sky.
Generally, commercial airplanes cruise at speeds between 550 and 600 miles per hour (that’s around 478 to 521 knots).
In this article, we’ll explore how we measure airplane speed, what factors can impact how fast a commercial airplane can fly, and compare the speeds of different types of aircraft.
Measuring Airplane Speed
When we talk about how fast a commercial airplane flies, it’s important to understand that there are different ways to measure speed in the air. Here’s a breakdown:
- Indicated Airspeed (IAS): This is what you see on the airplane’s speedometer. It doesn’t factor in air density or temperature.
- True Airspeed (TAS): This is the plane’s speed relative to air that hasn’t been disturbed by the plane. It adjusts the IAS to account for altitude and temperature.
- Ground Speed (GS): This is how fast the plane is moving relative to the ground. Wind plays a big role here – a tailwind will increase your ground speed, while a headwind will decrease it.
- Calibrated Airspeed (CAS): This adjusts the IAS for any errors in the plane’s instruments or positioning.
Mach Number
The Mach number is the ratio of an object’s speed relative to the speed of sound. Commercial airplanes typically fly at a fraction of the speed of sound.
What affects airplane speed?
Many factors influence how fast an airplane travels. Here are some of the most important.
Altitude
The higher an airplane flies, the less dense the air becomes. Air density affects how well an engine performs and how much drag an aircraft experiences. Airspeed also increases with altitude.
Wind
A headwind, or a wind that’s blowing against the direction of flight, will slow an airplane down. A tailwind, or a wind that’s blowing in the same direction as the flight, will speed an airplane up.
Thrust
Engine thrust is the force that moves an aircraft forward through the air. The greater the thrust, the faster an airplane will fly.
Other factors
Factors such as turbulence, energy costs, and even ticket prices can have an impact on how fast a commercial airplane flies.
Typical speeds during different phases of flight
A commercial airplane travels at different speeds during different phases of flight.
Takeoff
A commercial airplane needs to hit a speed of 160 to 180 miles per hour (140 to 156 knots) to take off. The plane must reach that speed in order to generate enough lift to leave the ground.
Cruising
When a commercial airplane is cruising, it generally travels at a speed of 550 to 600 miles per hour (478 to 521 knots). This speed is optimized for fuel efficiency and range.
Landing
During landing, a commercial airplane slows to 130 to 160 miles per hour (112 to 156 knots). This slower speed allows for a controlled descent and touchdown.
Cruising Speeds of Common Commercial Aircraft
Here’s a look at the typical cruising speeds of some common commercial airplanes. (Speeds are approximate and can vary based on factors like altitude, wind, and load.)
- Boeing 737 MAX: Mach 0.79, 521 mph. The 737 MAX is one of the most common narrow-body airliners you’ll find in service today.
- Airbus A320neo: Mach 0.78, 518 mph. The A320neo is the primary competitor to the Boeing 737.
- Boeing 747-8: Mach 0.855, 564 mph. The Boeing 747 is an iconic wide-body airliner, instantly recognizable by its “hump.”
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Mach 0.85, 562 mph. The 787 Dreamliner is known for its fuel efficiency and long-range capabilities.
- Airbus A380: Mach 0.85, 562 mph. The A380 is the largest passenger airliner ever built.
- Embraer EMB-145: Mach 0.78, 518 mph. The Embraer EMB-145 is a popular regional jet.
Note: Mach number is a ratio of speed relative to the speed of sound. Kts stands for knots, a unit of speed equal to approximately 1.15 mph.
Speed limits and design considerations
Commercial airplanes don’t just fly as fast as possible. There are some limits to consider. These limits are put in place for safety and structural reasons.
- Maximum Mach Number (Mmo): Planes aren’t designed to break the sound barrier. Going too fast can cause structural damage.
- Speed limits below 10,000 feet: 250 knots. This is for safety and to manage air traffic.
- Speed limits near busy airports: 200 knots. This helps prevent collisions and ensures smooth landings.
- Final approach speed: Around 150 knots.
What keeps planes from flying faster?
Even though planes can fly faster, they usually don’t. Here’s why:
- Fuel: The faster a plane flies, the more fuel it burns. Airlines focus on fuel efficiency to save money.
- Comfort: Extremely high speeds can make turbulence feel much worse.
- Design: Each plane is built to work best at a certain speed. Going faster than that speed could be dangerous.
Conclusion
A commercial airplane’s speed is determined by several factors, including the aircraft’s design, the altitude, and the weather conditions. Ultimately, airlines must balance speed with fuel efficiency and passenger safety.
While a plane’s actual speed varies, the average cruising speed for most commercial airplanes is around 547 to 575 mph (880 to 925 km/h).
As technology improves, future innovations in aircraft design could lead to even faster flight times.