how fast 747 travel

How Fast Does A Boeing 747 Fly? Takeoff & Landing Speed

By Ken Hyde

Last updated: March 5, 2024

Most people probably picture military planes and private jets when they think of fast aircraft. Still, commercial airplanes, such as a Boeing 747, are also capable of extremely high speeds. So, what is the speed of a 747 at takeoff? Let’s find out together in this post, shall we?

In this article:

How fast does a boeing 747 fly.

As the fastest wide-body airplane in the world, the Boeing 747 can take off at 160 kts (184 mph) and cruise at an astonishing 660 mph (Mach 0.86 ). Meanwhile, the 747’s setting chosen will determine the approximate speed to land—between 145 and 150 kts (166 and 172 mph) .

For the optimum flying characteristics, Boeing has optimized the design. Additionally, the fuselage has been modified to provide the commercial aircraft with the best conditions possible for effective flying behavior. 

\With contemporary engines, it significantly outperforms several rivals. There is room on the passenger plane for 416 to 660 people.

How Boeing 747 Achieve Its Speed

Engine model.

The reason for the Boeing models’ ability to achieve its cruise speed majorly came from the GEnx engine. It is among the world’s most fuel-efficient, quietest, and cleanest turbofan engines. 

This engine is installed on several 747 models, such as the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter. Although this component is tuned for the 747-8, its foundation is the 787 Dreamliner engine.

The most recent design and materials are included in the GEnx to enhance performance, lower maintenance costs, and consume less fuel. Additionally, it also guarantees adherence to environmental rules both today and in the future.

Jet Streams

The Boeing 747 utilizes jet streams, a natural occurrence, in addition to its strong engines. The swift, high-altitude air currents known as jet streams move all over the planet. Pilots may harness their energy to increase speed and fuel efficiency by maneuvering these strong air currents wisely.

The Boeing 747 can increase its velocity by using these jet streams because of its capacity to fly at high altitudes. Pilots use meteorological data to meticulously arrange their itineraries so they can air travel on these unseen sky lanes. In addition to cutting down on journey time, this deliberate usage of jet streams increases the Boeing 747’s overall speed and efficiency.

Its aerodynamic design, particularly its wing, makes the 747 quicker than other aircraft. To minimize drag and increase speed, the 747’s huge wings have a 37.5-degree high sweep angle.

In addition to being long and thin, the wing’s high aspect ratio increases lift and lowers fuel consumption. Plus, the wing comes with a supercritical airfoil, decreasing drag at high speeds by delaying the introduction of shock waves and having a downward slope at the trailing edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has a 747 go supersonic.

No. For example, the 747-100 was tested to nearly breach the sound barrier. Air Force One and other 747s have come close to breaking the sound barrier yet have never managed to do so. Therefore, it’s unlikely that we will ever discover if Evergreen’s 747-100 truly achieved supersonic aircraft flight.

What Is The Lowest Speed That A 747 Can Fly At?

Considering its landing speed, a Boeing 747 typically lands at between 140 and 160 knots. Still, notice that weight , configuration, and meteorological circumstances are some of the variables that determine a Boeing 747’s lowest possible speed.

How Long Can A 747 Fly Without Engines?

It depends on the model and configuration. For example, the Boeing 747-200 can glide up to 150 km (93 miles) at cruising speed and 10,000 m (33,000 ft) altitude in the event of an engine failure. Keep in mind that this only happens if certain parameters are met, such as minimum fuel capacity and minimal payload.

The Bottom Lines

Now you know the cruise, landing, and takeoff speed of a 747. The plane soars through the air at extraordinary speeds thanks to a combination of strong engines, clever utilization of jet streams, and aerodynamic brilliance. This renowned Boeing commercial airplane not only represents the peak of commercial aviation engineering but also enthralls us with its breathtaking speed as it easily travels great distances.

Ken W Hyde is the founder of The Wright Experience™ . He is passionate about antique airplanes and has restored many of the Wright brothers' planes, including the 1918 Curtiss Jenny and the 1903 Wright Flyer . He is also a pilot and mechanic who has worked for Capital Airlines, Bendix Corporation, and American Airlines.

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Very helpful information, should have mentioned recent trouble with door plugs ❗

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The Fastest Airplanes Commercial Passengers Can Fly

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I’m lucky to have grown up in a family where we were always flying around the country, visiting family and enjoying an occasional vacation. But I’ll never forget watching "Top Gun" with my dad as a kid, amazed by the military fighter jets that could roar off of an aircraft carrier before ripping past the speed of sound. To this day, I often listen to the title song, "Danger Zone," as my much slower commercial flights accelerate down the runway.

While only military pilots get the thrill of regularly passing the speed of sound, large commercial planes regularly travel at speeds over 600 mph. Here's what to know about the fastest airplanes commercial passengers can fly, and which airlines are flying them.

What is the fastest commercial passenger jet?

For current commercial airline passengers, the fastest way to get around is the Boeing 747-8i, with a top speed of nearly 660 mph. But with limited options, you may find yourself going just a little slower on a competing alternative.

» Learn more: Our writers draft their favorite airlines

The fastest commercial passenger airliners that are in use

Boeing 747-8.

The 747 is one of the largest commercial aircraft ever built, and the 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8i) variant wins the race as the fastest commercial plane in service today. This plane is as tall as a six-story building with a top speed of Mach 0.86. That’s equivalent to 659.85 mph.

The 747-8i has a range of 7,730 nautical miles and a capacity of 410 passengers.

Unfortunately, it isn't the most accessible plane to catch a ride on, since the options are limited to Lufthansa, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Air China and Qatar Airways.

Boeing 747-400

A member of the same Boeing 747 family, the 747-400 is a behemoth that can catapult 416 passengers across the world with a maximum speed of Mach 0.855 (656 mph). With a range of up to 7,225 nautical miles, it’s most commonly used for busy long-haul routes with high demand.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 875,000 pounds, operating a plane of this size isn't cheap. So it is no surprise that the number of places you can fly on a 747-400 is dwindling. According to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 , current operators include Lufthansa , Korean Air, Rossiya, Air India and Air China.

Airbus A380

The Airbus A380 superjumbo is the largest passenger aircraft in operation and has a front-to-back two-story design. The A380 typically seats 400 to 550 passengers for trips over 9,000 miles. If filled to maximum capacity with one cabin class, it could potentially seat 853 people. It’s so big that some airports can’t handle the massive size.

The A380 reaches speeds of Mach 0.85, just a hair behind the 747-400. That translates to 652 mph. While the A380 ended production in 2020, 15 airlines still fly the A380. These include Air France , British Airways , Emirates, Etihad, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas , Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The 787 Dreamliner had a rocky start, with battery fire problems causing the entire fleet to sit on the ground while a fix was rolled out. These days, due to lower operating costs and other modern features (like higher cabin oxygen and humidity), the aircraft is growing in popularity with international airlines.

The aircraft is propelled by two General Electric and Rolls-Royce engines at speeds reaching Mach 0.85, or 652 mph, making it the fastest single-aisle passenger aircraft in operation.

The Dreamliner is generally known to be quieter and more comfortable, so you may reach your destination with a little less jet lag. You’ll also get better views due to its larger windows with electronic dimming.

If you’re going to fly a long distance, this may be the most comfortable way to go without flying private. Major domestic carriers, including American Airlines and United Airlines , are among the extensive list of 787 customers .

The 777 is a workhorse for overseas flights with variations, like the 777-8 with a range of up to 8,730 nautical miles and the newer 777-9 configuration with a range of 7,285 nautical miles.

The “Triple Seven” flies at Mach 0.84, or 644 mph and can hold up to 426 passengers.

You have several options to get on board a 777. Major carriers flying this model include Aeromexico, Air Canada , Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific , Delta Air Lines , El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines , KLM Royal Dutch, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

Do you want to go faster?

The supersonic Concorde aircraft used to be the quickest way to travel. It had an impressive cruising speed of 1,350 mph, or Mach 1.75. That’s fast enough to make it from New York to London in under three hours. But those planes are long out of service, with the last flight taking place in 2003.

It’s not common, but you may be able to get somewhere faster by lucking out and catching a jet stream that occasionally brings faster speeds to planes on the way to North America from Europe. In 2019, one such flight reached 801 mph when surfing the jetstream over the Atlantic.

You can fly fast on the fastest planes in the world

While it may be fun to see over 600 mph on the in-flight entertainment screen, keep in mind that you’re probably only saving a few minutes once you take into account airport parking, security and ground transportation. If you’re flying commercial on any of these planes, know that you’re enjoying one of the fastest, safest and most convenient ways to travel ever invented.

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How fast do planes fly? Exploring airplane speeds 

It goes without saying that planes are seriously fast, but they can fly at a whole range of different speeds depending on the type of aircraft , altitude, weather conditions, and other factors. Aviation speed is typically measured in miles per hour (mph) – or a Mach number, which is a measurement of speed relative to the speed of sound. 

Let’s explore how fast planes fly by focusing on commercial, military, and private jet speeds. 

Different types of aircraft speed measurement

There are two main categories: ground speed and airspeed . Ground speed refers to the aircraft’s speed relative to the ground below. Airspeed is the more commonly used measurement in aviation and is usually measured in knots (kt), with one knot equivalent to 1.15 mph. This measurement considers the aircraft’s speed relative to the surrounding air, which is essential for safe and efficient flight.  

The two most common types of airspeed are indicated airspeed (IAS) and true airspeed (TAS). Indicated airspeed is the speed shown on the aircraft’s instrument panel and is based on the pressure differential between the pitot tube and static port on the airplane. However, due to a variety of factors such as instrument errors and atmospheric conditions, indicated airspeed may not always be an accurate representation of the aircraft’s true airspeed. 

Therefore, true airspeed is the actual speed of the aircraft relative to the surrounding air, independent of instrument errors or other factors. It is calculated by adjusting the indicated airspeed for temperature and altitude and is usually measured in kt or mph. 

Plane speeds

Mach and mph are two different units of measurement for speed. Mph is a unit of measurement commonly used for ground vehicles and aircraft, and it measures the distance an object travels within an hour. Mach number is a unit of measurement that compares the speed of an object to the speed of sound. 

The speed of sound, which is referred to as Mach 1, is approximately 767 mph (at sea level and at a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit). Therefore, Mach 0.85, which is the typical cruising speed of commercial airliners, means that the aircraft is traveling at 85% of the speed of sound, or approximately 646 mph at sea level. 

In comparison, the fastest human running speed ever recorded is approximately 28 mph – and needless to say, that’s significantly slower than the cruising speed of a commercial airliner. Even the slowest commercial airliner takeoff and landing speeds are much faster than the fastest recorded human running speed. 

Specifically, the cruising speed of commercial airliners is typically around 550-600 mph, or Mach 0.85. Takeoff and landing speeds are much slower, typically between 130-180 mph, depending on the aircraft and weather conditions. The landing speed of a commercial airliner can be around 160-180 mph, while the takeoff speed can be around 130-160 mph. 

The fastest passenger planes

The Airbus A350-1000 first entered service in 2018 and has a top speed of Mach 0.89, which means it can travel at approximately 683 mph at sea level. This makes it the fastest commercial plane currently in operation. The A350-1000 is also known for its fuel efficiency and advanced technology, making it a popular choice among airlines. 

Another leading commercial airliner is the Boeing 747-8, which has been in service since 2011. It has a top speed of Mach 0.86, so it can travel at approximately 660 mph at sea level. The 747-8 is the latest variant of the Boeing 747, which has been a popular aircraft for over 50 years. The 747-8 is known for its large size and range, making it ideal for long-haul flights. 

The fastest civilian aircraft ever built is the retired Concorde supersonic jet. Supersonic refers to speeds that surpass Mach 1 – the speed of sound. The Concorde was a joint venture between British Aerospace and the French company Aerospatiale. It entered service in 1976 and was retired in 2003. The Concorde could fly at speeds of up to Mach 2.04, or just over 1,565 mph. As such, it could travel from London to New York in just over three hours, compared to the average seven-hour flight time for other commercial airliners. 

Despite its impressive speed, the Concorde was ultimately retired due to factors including high operating costs, environmental concerns and safety issues. 

The fastest military aircraft 

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a reconnaissance aircraft that was developed by Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. It first entered service in 1966 and was retired in 1998. The Blackbird is known for its impressive speed, altitude, and ability to evade detection. It has a top speed of Mach 3.3, which means it can fly at over 2,512 mph, and a maximum altitude of 85,000 feet.  

The Blackbird was designed to conduct reconnaissance missions over hostile territory, and its high-speed and altitude capabilities allowed it to avoid enemy radar and surface-to-air missiles. Despite its performance, the Blackbird was retired due to high operating costs and the development of new reconnaissance technologies.

The Russian MiG-25 , also known as the Foxbat, is a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that first entered service in 1970. It has a top speed of Mach 2.83, or over 2,154 mph, and a maximum altitude of more than 80,000 feet.

The MiG-25 was designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at high speeds and altitudes. It was also capable of conducting reconnaissance missions over hostile territory. Used extensively by the Soviet Union and several other countries, only two units remain in service with the Syrian Air Force . 

In addition to the SR-71 Blackbird and the MiG-25, there are many other military aircraft that are capable of flying at supersonic speeds. These include the F-15 Eagle , the F-16 Fighting Falcon , the Su-27 Flanker , the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Tu-160 Blackjack, the Antonov An-22, and the Rockwell B-1 Lancer. These aircraft are designed for a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance.  

Though the supersonic flight is an impressive technological feat, it is important to note that it comes burdened with several challenges, from high fuel consumption and environmental concerns such as sonic booms. 

The fastest private jets 

The Gulfstream G700 has a maximum cruising speed of Mach 0.925, or approximately 710 mph. It can fly nonstop for more than 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km), making it a popular choice for long-range business travel. 

Another very fast private jet is the Cessna Citation X + , with a maximum cruising speed of Mach 0.935 or roughly 717 mph. It can fly up to 3,460 nautical miles (6,408 km) and is used for short to medium-range business travel. 

The fastest private jet currently available is the Bombardier Global 8000 which has a maximum cruising speed of Mach 0.94 . This long-range jet can fly up to 7,900 nautical miles (14,631 km) non-stop, making it one of the most capable business jets on the market. 

However, it is worth noting that the top speed of private jets can vary depending on various factors, such as altitude, temperature, weight, and even humidity. While private jets are typically designed to reach high speeds, the actual speed during a flight may be lower than the maximum speed possible, due to various factors such as air traffic control restrictions, turbulence, and weather conditions.

The SR-71 Blackbird: unveiling the fastest plane ever built

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How Fast Is The Boeing 747 Compared To Other Quadjets Throughout Aviation History?

• The Boeing 747-8 has a cruising speed of Mach 0.86, making it one of the fastest commercial jets in history.
• While the A380 is bigger, it has a slightly lower cruising speed than the 747.
• The Boeing 707 and DC-8 were capable of flying at impressive speeds and outpaced older quadjets.

The Boeing 747 is arguably one of the most iconic aircraft to grace the skies. While nearing the end of its age, the jumbo is still an important part of many airline fleets, like Lufthansa and Atlas Air, which are the largest operators of the passenger and cargo versions.

Despite its sheer size, the Boeing 747 can achieve remarkable speeds. In this article, we will examine how the jumbo's cruising speed stacks up against other modern quadjets like the Airbus A380 and older models like the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. The various 747 variants have different speeds, so we will focus on the 747-8, the newest and largest variant in the family.

How fast is the Boeing 747?

The historical jumbo jet was more known for its capacity and size than its speed. However, it is a fast aircraft that has broken many records throughout its history. Last year, there were emotional scenes at Boeing's Everett factory when the manufacturer rolled out the last production 747 . It was delivered to cargo carrier Atlas Air, which gave the Queen of The Skies a proper sendoff with a memorable tribute.

The earliest variant, the 747-100, was rolled out in 1968 and first delivered to Pan Am in 1969. This aircraft had a cruise speed of 594 mph. The American aircraft manufacturer's latest passenger 747, the -8I variant, took its first flight in March 2011, over a year after the 747-8F. The freighter variant entered service in October 2011 with Cargolux, while the passenger version entered service with Lufthansa in June 2012. According to Boeing , the 747-8 has a cruise speed of Mach 0.86 (570 mph) at 35,000 ft.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here .

Boeing 747 vs Airbus quadjets

Airbus a380.

Before the A380, the 747 was the world's largest passenger aircraft. The introduction of the A380 in 2005 gave birth to a new era in widebody travel, with the aircraft having a maximum certified capacity of up to a whopping 853 passengers. While the A380 is bigger, it does not cruise as fast as the 747. Meanwhile, the A380 has a cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (564 mph).

In 2022, an Airbus A380 managed to go supersonic, breaking the sound barrier during a test flight. As reported by Aerotime , the aircraft, registration A6-CJE, had spent about two years in storage before being reactivated by Emirates. The test was successful, with the superjumbo reaching maximum speed at cruise altitude.

However, after the test, the A380 began to dive and picked up speed until it broke the sound barrier at 33,000 ft. The superjumbo reached a maximum speed of 745 mph, nearly 93 mph faster than the speed of sound at that altitude.

Airbus A340

The Airbus A340 took its first flight in October 1991 and entered commercial service in March 1993 with Lufthansa and Air France. The type was not very popular and remains in service with only a few carriers . It has a cruise speed of around Mach 0.8. The aircraft is powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 turbofan engines with 57,000 pounds of thrust each.

How Fast Does An Airplane Go In The Different Stages Of A Flight?

Boeing 747 vs concorde.

It is quite obvious who wins this category, as Concorde is already famous for being the world's fastest passenger jet in history . The aircraft was powered by four Rolls-Royce/SNECMA Olympus 593 engines, each producing 38,000 lbs of thrust. It had a takeoff speed of 250 mph and could maintain a cruising speed of Mach 2.0 up to 60,000 ft (1,350 mph).

Its four powerplants took advantage of 'reheat' technology, adding fuel to the final stage of the engine, producing the extra power required for takeoff and the transition to supersonic flight. Concorde does, of course, hold the record for the fastest-ever commercial transatlantic crossing . On February 7th, 1996, it completed a flight from New York JFK to London Heathrow in 2 hours 52 minutes and 59 seconds. Concorde also had the following specifications.

Love aviation history ? Discover more of our stories here

The Boeing 747 vs older quadjets

As airlines are now opting for more modern and efficient twinjets, the quadjet era is slowly ending. Four-engined jets are becoming increasingly rare at airports worldwide. However, they were once the backbone of long-haul transcontinental travel . In fact, the world's first jetliner, the de Havilland Comet, was powered by four engines.

The aircraft made its first flight on July 27th, 1949, and entered commercial service with BOAC on May 2nd, 1952. Other manufacturers began developing quadjets, so the world has seen some iconic four-engined jetliners over the years. Other examples include:

Defense Quadjets: Top 5 Military Planes With 4 Engines

As a more modern aircraft featuring several technological advancements, the Boeing 747 is much faster than some older quadjets. According to NASA , the de Havilland Comet 1A was designed to cruise at Mach 0.74 at 35,000 ft (490 mph). The Boeing 707, on the other hand, had a maximum cruising speed of 593 mph (Mach 0.87) at 30,000 ft.

The DC-8 series had a similar cruising speed: Mach 0.87 at 30,000 ft (596 mph). However, on August 21st, 1961, a Douglas DC-8 went supersonic while performing a test flight to collect data on a new wing design. The aircraft, registration N9604Z, climbed to 50,090 ft near Edwards Air Force Base. It went into a dive and reached a speed of Mach 1.012 (668 mph) while descending through 41,088 ft.

The Convair 880 , known for its speed, was developed to compete with the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. Its four General Electric CJ805-3B engines and narrow and short fuselage helped it become the fastest commercial quadjet until the introduction of the 747 and later Concorde. The Convair 880-22-M had a cruise speed of 586 mph.

What are your thoughts on this story? Please let us know in the comments!

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Jet Speeds Uncovered: How Fast Do Commercial Airplanes Fly?

Samantha Black

In this article we’ll answer the common question, how fast do planes fly.

There are a lot of factors that go into how fast commercial aircraft fly. In this article we’ll go over all of these factors but before we do, here’s the flight speeds of many common commercial aircraft.

Cruising Speeds for Common Commercial Airplanes

Here is how fast common commercial planes go.

I’ve listed them in the following order; Aircraft Type, Cruise Mach, Knots, MPH.

What Impacts the Speed of a Plane?

Airplane speed is a confusing subject because airplanes operate in the atmosphere, which is itself moving around.

When driving down the road in your car, your speed is a simple matter of miles per hour (or kilometers per hour, outside the US). But pilots and aircraft designers think about a lot more.

Fundamentally, the speed that matters to airline route planners and passengers is the speed the plane flies across the ground from Point A to Point B.

This is known as the ground speed.

This is exactly like driving your car, and the math is easy. If you go 60 mph for three hours, you’ll go 180 miles toward your destination. Ground speed is the airspeed of a plane with tailwinds added or headwinds subtracted.

Inside the cockpit, however, the pilot and plane are worried about how much air moves over the wings.

This measurement is called airspeed, and there are a few different types. True airspeed vs indicated airspeed.

True Airspeed (TAS) is the most accurate because it accounts for the air temperature and density, which changes with weather and altitude. Aircraft have airspeed gauges, but they often show Indicated Airspeed (IAS), which is less accurate and needs to be corrected.

How Is a Plane’s Speed Measured?

Aviators use nautical miles for measuring distance, which are different than the statute miles used in the US highway system. 1 NM is approximately 1.15 SM and one nautical mile per hour is called a “knot.” Therefore, aircraft speeds are typically reported in knots, not mph. 

Jets have limitations on their design—they can’t fly too slow, but they also can’t fly too fast. Typical commercial airplanes are not designed to fly faster than the speed of sound, also known as Mach 1.

If they get too fast, the air begins forming shockwaves along the wing that can cause the aircraft to become uncontrollable. The speed they cannot exceed is called the Maximum Mach Number, or the Mmo. 

How fast you’re flying in terms of Mach numbers requires some math, so a machmeter is included in planes where this is an issue. A machmeter means the pilot can see that they are not exceeding the Mmo without thinking about all the math. As a result, when a commercial airplane is flying at altitude, it is flying at a safe designed Mach number. 

You might see the speeds of aircraft counted in either knots or Mach. 

Different Speeds During Flight

It’s important to realize that aircraft don’t always fly at the same speed. For one thing, there’s a speed limit in the sky. All aircraft below 10,000 feet must slow down to 250 knots or less. Near busy airports, they must slow to 200 knots or less. 

But beyond that, all aircraft have flight profiles that are followed on every flight. The pilots set the most efficient climbing, cruising, and descent settings.

Climb Speeds

Getting to a safe altitude as quickly as possible is always a priority because more altitude means more choices should there be an emergency or a loss of power.

This means getting off the runway with the best rate of climb, which will give you a lot of altitude quickly but at a slower forward speed. 

However, the pilot will transition to a more efficient climb profile once the plane is at a safe altitude.

This means lowering the nose, reducing the engine power, and getting more forward speed at the expense of a slower climb rate. 

Cruise Speed

The flight’s cruise phase is also done using a pre-arranged profile.

The pilot will set a desired engine power (and fuel burn) for the given flight, and the resulting airspeed or Mach number will determine their ground speed and range. 

When looking at the cruise speed numbers above, you’ll notice that most airliners are remarkably similar in performance.

A Maximum Mach number of 0.9–0.95 is about all that is possible in a sub-sonic transport aircraft. This is because air is accelerated as it flows over some parts of the aircraft. So even though the plane’s speed is less than Mach 1, some airflow over parts of the plane is much closer to the speed of sound.

Without making the entire aircraft capable of supersonic flight, these planes are limited to somewhere around this speed. 

What’s more, the air is far less dense at altitude than it is near the surface. Jet engines operate very efficiently there, but the aircraft’s wing does not.

It must fly very fast to have enough air flowing over it to avoid stalling.

For this reason, many airliners operate in a small window between fast enough to not stall and slow enough not to exceed the Mmo. The result is that many airliners today are flying around at roughly the same speeds. 

At cruise speeds aircraft will sometimes have to change their speeds when flying through turbulence .

Descent Speeds

So, how fast do commercial aircraft fly during the descent?

Commercial planes make two types of descent: a cruise descent and a landing approach. Cruise descent means losing altitude without building up too much forward speed and exceeding their Mmo.

There is little change in their forward speed since they just reduce engine thrust and let gravity do the rest.

Descending through 10,000 feet means abiding by the 250-knot speed limit.

This requires less power and perhaps drag devices like air spoilers to slow the aircraft down. Since less air flows over the wings as it slows down, the pilot will use flaps to increase the lift the wings can make.

Approaching the airport means slowing down as much as possible while maintaining control of the aircraft. Most planes are shooting approaches at 150 knots or less.

This requires using wing flaps and other high-lift devices to maintain control.

Supersonic Air Travel

So how fast do commercial planes fly if they’re going at supersonic speeds?

“I wanna go fast.” -Ricky Bobby

No discussion of commercial airplane speeds would be complete without mentioning the Concorde.

The world’s only supersonic airliner flew in regular service from 1976 to 2003 for Air France and British Airways. The plane provides insight into why many modern commercial airplanes look and perform as they do today. 

The Concorde set several records and logged more supersonic hours than any other aircraft before or since.

In 1996 a British Airways “Speedbird” flew from New York to London in 2 hours, 52 minutes thanks to a 175 mph tailwind. In 1992 and 1995, the same Air France Concorde set records circumnavigating the globe (east and westbound, albeit with many fuel stops each way). The quickest was the 1995 eastbound trip which was done in 31 hours, 27 minutes.

Only 20 Concordes were ever built, and while flying on the special plane was a sign of status, supersonic air travel never really took off.

For one thing, the plane was a gas guzzler and very expensive to operate. For another, the sonic booms it produced meant that it could only ever fly at those airspeeds over the open ocean. That made its feasibility for legs like New York to Los Angeles virtually nill.

New technologies may be changing the math, however. Several startups have begun designing new SSTs (supersonic transports, as the Concorde was called).

These new designs, built with modern techniques and computer-aided design, aim to reduce the sonic boom impact and improve fuel economy. Boom Supersonic has been making headlines with its planned Overture airliner and has secured orders from United and American Airlines.

While it hasn’t flown yet, the projected cruise speed of the Overture is Mach 1.75, making a flight from London to New York in about 3 hours, 30 minutes.

What Is a Commercial Plane?

When most people think of a commercial plane, they envision the airliner they’re booking tickets on. Commercial aviation has a lot of components, and airlines are the most visible part. 

The most common type of airliner used today is a twin-engine turbofan.

Boeing and Airbus are major manufacturers, although Embraer and several other makers are now making smaller models. These planes are designed and built based on the airlines’ need to carry so many people so many miles at a time as efficiently as possible.

So, different models are made for short, medium, and long-haul flights.

And, of course, planes range from small models with 50 seats (or even less in some cases) to large “heavies” that can carry 500 or more. 

When an airline decides which planes to buy and which routes to fly it on, it always comes down to dollars and cents.

Flying a large-capacity, long-haul plane nearly empty on short legs means not covering the flight’s cost and losing money. So airlines must constantly analyze the planes they have and want based on how they operate them.

More to the point, the speed at which a plane operates is a factor of its efficiency.

Ideally, the quicker one flight is done, then another can begin—with a new batch of paying customers. But getting there fast isn’t the only factor because flying faster uses more fuel.

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How fast does an airplane really go?

It's a simple question but one without a simple answer: How fast does an airplane fly?

Believe it or not, pilots rely on multiple speeds throughout a flight. Generally, there are four different speeds that measure different things and are affected by different atmospheric conditions.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free biweekly Aviation newsletter .

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's get two obvious facts out of the way. First, an aircraft travels at different speeds depending on the phase of flight. Second, different aircraft types are capable of traveling at different speeds.

How fast is an airplane in the air?

Airspeed is measured in knots. One knot equals 1 nautical mile per hour. One nautical mile is 1.15078 statute miles (what we commonly know as a mile). So, 1 knot is equal to 1.15078 miles per hour.

The simplest type of airspeed is indicated airspeed, which is directly derived from an aircraft's pitot-static system.

When an aircraft is in flight or speeding down the runway, the air gets forced into the opening of the pitot tube and is measured, while static pressure measures just that — static air conditions. Indicated airspeed is simply calculated by measuring the difference between the dynamic, pitot pressure and static pressure.

But that's not the most accurate metric once an aircraft is airborne. Different temperatures, atmospheric pressure and other factors mean that this airspeed must be converted into something more realistic and usable at higher altitudes.

That's what true airspeed is.

True airspeed adjusts indicated airspeed for a number of factors. Most importantly, it adjusts it for the temperature and pressure at higher altitudes — as an aircraft climbs, the temperature generally decreases and the air pressure always decreases. Once we make those adjustments, think of true airspeed as how fast the air is moving over the aircraft's wings at a particular altitude.

Pilots actually rely on another type of speed during the cruise — and it's technically not a speed at all. Mach number is the ratio of true airspeed to the speed of sound, and it's highly influenced by atmospheric conditions, especially temperature. It's a highly accurate way of fine-tuning speed in a particular area, and it's the unit that air traffic controllers use to separate traffic at higher altitudes.

Some typical airspeeds

• Boeing 737 NG/MAX: Mach 0.78, about 450 knots true airspeed.
• Airbus A320 family: Mach 0.78, about 450 knots true airspeed.
• Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Mach 0.85, about 488 knots true airspeed.
• Airbus A350: Mach 0.85, about 488 knots true airspeed.
• Airbus A330: Mach 0.82, about 470 knots true airspeed.
• Boeing 757: Mach 0.80, about 461 knots true airspeed.
• Concorde: Mach 2.02, about 1,176 knots true airspeed.

What is an airplane's average groundspeed?

Finally, groundspeed is perhaps the most simple of the speeds. It's an aircraft's speed across the ground that gets adjusted for winds and altitude. For example, if an A321 has a true airspeed of 460 knots (529 mph), but is flying from New York to Los Angeles during the winter when head winds can be very strong, the actual groundspeed will be less. If it's facing a head wind component of 100 knots (115 mph) — which is entirely possible that time of year — its actual groundspeed would be a glacial 360 knots (414 mph), and you'd be looking at a very long trip to the West Coast. Still, the Mach number would remain unchanged, because the true airspeed is unchanged.

Related: How pilots predict bad weather and keep your flights smooth

Since an aircraft's groundspeed is highly influenced by the winds it encounters aloft, there's no groundspeed associated with individual aircraft types. A general rule of thumb is that an aircraft's groundspeed can be anywhere from 350 knots (in a stiff head wind) to 550 knots (in a strong tail wind). Of course, there are outliers. Each winter, there are often stories about aircraft encountering very strong tail winds when headed east over the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes, these are in excess of 700 knots groundspeed, or 805 mph. These aircraft are actually not going any faster than normal — in fact, some might even slow down to conserve fuel given the strong winds. However, by taking advantage of the wind, they're able to travel at incredibly fast speeds.

Of course, the aircraft headed westbound aren't as lucky. The dispatchers for those aircraft will often plan a more circuitous route — one that's a longer distance — in order to avoid the strong head winds. Traveling a longer distance is worth it because the aircraft will save more fuel than it would on a more direct routing that takes the aircraft directly into head winds.

Bottom line

There's no easy way to answer how fast an airplane flies. But for the flying public, the easiest answer is probably groundspeed. It's how fast your flight is traveling directly over the ground, and has the largest direct impact to 8888.

Here's What Caused the Fastest New York to London Subsonic Flight Ever

Airliners are slower than they used to be—but sometimes, they can still bend the sound barrier.

• The flights were faster than the speed of sound, but didn't break the sound barrier because of surrounding wind speed.
• The top speed for a 747 is about 570 miles per hour (mph), and this flight topped out at 825 mph.

A British Airways plane has broken the record for fastest subsonic flight—by going faster than the speed of sound. The flight from New York to London arrived almost two hours early after a flight lasting 4 hours and 56 minutes. British Airways also just narrowly beat two Virgin Airways flights that took one minute and three minutes longer, respectively.

What happened? Well, the jet stream was much more powerful than usual, blowing more than 200 miles per hour (mph) and carrying the planes at that high ambient speed. On Friday, the Washington Post predicted the wildly fast flights and shared a thorough analysis . The overall weather system causing the super-fast jet stream linking New York and London came from a “bomb cyclone” near Greenland.

The storm system generates hurricane-force winds at its source, then those winds significantly mellow out to “just” 200 mph further away. The Washington Post explains that storms closer to the north and south poles are larger and their force dissipates more quickly than storms at lower latitudes.

By the end of the weekend, the storm coming from Greenland, called Storm Ciara in the affected U.K., was paired with a system off the east coast of the southern U.S. to make a wind-powered airplane hyperloop from New York to London. The Washington Post compares the system to moving sidewalks at an airport: you maintain your own “cruising speed” while the walkway carries you at a different base speed. The top speed of the Boeing 747 itself is about 570 mph, and this flight maxed out at 825 mph.

The difference between “ground speed” (zero bonus) and “air speed” (200+ mph bonus) is also why this speed, while technically faster than the speed of sound, didn’t ever go supersonic. In theory, a series of nested tunnels with 200-mph winds could lead to an airplane in the center going thousands of miles an hour, but never breaking the sound barrier.

The wind tunnel effect from Storm Ciara did speed up flights, but of course, it’s not worth the destruction the storm caused when it made landfall. That means “wait for a stormy wind tunnel” isn’t a viable strategy for airlines to speed up flights or reduce fuel—it’s a coincidence that will occasionally cause new record speeds. And in general, airlines are reducing flight speeds to conserve fuel.

In 2019, the airlines made news in a bad way when the U.N. predicted that flight emissions could triple by 2050 until they take up a quarter of the globe’s carbon emissions. Air cargo is a tiny percentage of daily flights around the world, meaning passenger planes are still responsible for the vast majority of these emissions. Some general cost-cutting measures could save fuel as a secondary effect, like overselling flights in order to fly fewer, but fuller, airplanes each day.

In some countries, the culture is beginning to move away from flying when possible, but globally, the middle class with access to tourism continues to grow at a rapid speed. Airlines have worked to cut emissions by making more efficient aircraft, researching alternative fuels, and investing extensively in carbon offsets. But as with cars and other vehicles, planes have optimum cruising speeds that are the most efficient for fuel, and this is usually slower than impatient travelers have grown to expect.

Caroline Delbert is a writer, avid reader, and contributing editor at Pop Mech. She's also an enthusiast of just about everything. Her favorite topics include nuclear energy, cosmology, math of everyday things, and the philosophy of it all. 

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How Fast Do Planes Take Off? A Guide to Takeoff Speeds

Planes can take off between 58-180mph or 93-290 km/h, depending on the type of plane,  its weight, and its model.

Small planes have the lowest takeoff speeds, while fighter jets have the highest.

Taking off too slowly and too quickly are both dangerous for planes.

Some planes can also even take off vertically, but they’re rare. 

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Small Planes
• 1.2 Private Jets
• 1.3 Commercial Airliners
• 1.4 Military Planes
• 2 A Plane Shouldn’t Take Off Too Quickly
• 3 Nor Too Slowly
• 4.1 Takeoff Procedure
• 5 Some Planes Can Take Off Vertically
• 6 Speed Planes Cruise At
• 7 Speed Planes Land At

How Fast a Plane Goes to Take Off

A plane’s takeoff speed ranges from 58-180mph or 93.3-290 km/h.

The specific takeoff speed of a plane depends on its type, model, and weight.

Generally, small planes have the lowest takeoff speeds, followed by private jets and commercial planes.

Fighter jets have the highest takeoff speeds. 

Small Planes

Most small planes takeoff between 58-115mph or 93-185 km/h, depending on the plane’s weight and outside conditions.

For example, the very popular Cessna 172 takes off at around 69mph or 111 km/h on average. 

Private Jets

Private jets take off between 148-177 mph or 238-289km/h.

For example, the Gulfstream G500 takes off at around 148mph or 238km/h on average. 

Related: Are Private Jets Faster Than Commercial Planes?

Commercial Airliners

Commercial airliners generally take off between 160-180 mph or 258-290km/h.

For example, the popular Boeing 737 takes off at 150 mph or 241km/h, while the Boeing 747 takes off at 180mph or 290km/h.

The Airbus A320 takes off at 170mph or 274km/h.

Military Planes

A fighter jet takes off at an average speed of 1,200 mph or 1,931 km/h.

The F-16, for example, takes off at 1,319 mph or 2.123 km/h. 

A Plane Shouldn’t Take Off Too Quickly

If a plane takes off too quickly, it will potentially not use enough runway than is necessary to takeoff, and the pilot might lose control of the plane if it has tricycle landing gear.

The use of tricycle landing gear means the aircraft will have more weight and pressure on its front landing gear, potentially causing it to wheelbarrow out of control.

Nor Too Slowly

If a plane takes off too slowly, it will use too much runway and probably not get airborne.

The plane could also potentially crash into a building or obstacle if it doesn’t generate enough lift to take off. 

How Planes Take Off

A plane’s engines move the aircraft forward at high speeds.

The high-speed forward movement causes airflow over the wings, throwing the air down towards the ground, which generates a force called lift.

It is this lift that lets a plane climb and take off.

Takeoff Procedure

• Checks are performed on the aircraft to ensure onboard systems are operational, and any repairs are performed. 
• The plane is refueled for the next flight. 
• The flight crew performs boarding checks, a safety briefing is performed for passengers, and the pilots receive clearance for takeoff. 
• The pilot taxis the plane up to the start of the runway.
• The pilot accelerates the plane from stationary to sufficient airspeed to lift the plane. 

Some Planes Can Take Off Vertically

Very few planes can take off vertically, though there is a separate vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft category.

An example is a V-22 Osprey which uses rotating propellers like those of a helicopter to lift itself off the ground.

Non-VTOL aircraft typically can’t take off vertically, including all small, commercial, and private jets.

A fighter jet can vertically take off if it gains enough speed on a flat runway.

Most planes can’t vertically take off because their wings’ diameter is too large to provide the forward thrust needed when the plane is stationary to climb vertically. 

Speed Planes Cruise At

The exact cruise speed of a plane depends on its type, model, and weight, among other factors.

• Commercial planes usually cruise between 547-575mph or 880-926km/h. For instance, the Boeing 747 cruises at 500mph or 805 km/h.
• Small planes fly much slower, at between 140-358mph or 225-576km/h. 
• Private jets can travel as slow as 400 mph or 644km/h and as high as 600mph or 966 km/h.
• Fighter jets fly the fastest at speeds between 1,500 mph (2,414km/h) to 1,900mph (3,058km/h). The fastest fighter plane, the Soviet MiG-25, can theoretically fly up to 2,400mph or 3,662 km/h. 

Most planes cruise below their maximum speed to conserve fuel. 

Related: How Fast Do Planes Fly?

Speed Planes Land At

Most commercial planes have a landing speed of between 150-165 mph or 240-265 km/h.

Small planes have an average landing speed of 115 mph or 185km/h.

Fighter jets land at an average speed of 200 mph or 322 km/h. 

In conclusion:

• A plane’s takeoff speed depends on its type, model, and weight.
• Generally, fighter jets take off at the highest speeds, followed by private jets, while commercial and small planes take off at the lowest speeds.
• It’s dangerous for planes to take off too slowly or too quickly.
• Planes take off through a combination of their engines pushing them forward and their wings generating lift to take them off the ground. 

Helen Krasner

Helen Krasner holds a PPL(A), with 15 years experience flying fixed-wing aircraft; a PPL(H), with 13 years experience flying helicopters; and a CPL(H), Helicopter Instructor Rating, with 12 years working as a helicopter instructor.

Helen is an accomplished aviation writer with 12 years of experience, having authored several books and published numerous articles while also serving as the Editor of the BWPA (British Women Pilots Association) newsletter, with her excellent work having been recognized with her nomination of the “Aviation Journalist of the Year” award.

Helen has won the “Dawn to Dusk” International Flying Competition, along with the best all-female competitors, three times with her copilot.

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Stellar Blade: How To Unlock Fast Travel

Stellar Blade's fast travel mechanic can be a bit tricky to understand but can be extremely useful for traveling across waypoints and regions.

Stellar Blade has a plethora of interesting items that can be found through exploration, and it can be quite easy to miss them if players don't pay attention to the nooks and crannies. As a result, players often find themselves looking for a fast travel option to return to previous areas and grab some items.

There are plenty of regions in Stellar Blade , and the lack of a dedicated map in the initial segments of the game can make exploration quite tricky. From chests to other resources, the collectibles that are scattered across the world are extremely useful in making the character extremely strong. For instance, the Tumbler expansion modules are extremely useful in improving survivability on the battlefield , reducing the player's reliance on buying potions. If players are wondering how they can head back to some of the previously located areas or regions in the game, here is what they need to know about fast travel in Stellar Blade.

Stellar Blade: How To Save

How to fast travel in stellar blade, using payphones.

Players will be able to find their first Payphone very early on in the game, right when they land Eidos-7 at Silent Street . Payphones can be found in an array of locations across the map, ranging from camps to isolated ones. Each payphone serves as a fast-travel point, although there are other Points of Interest players can fast travel to . Depending on the region they are using the Payphone in, players will be able to open the region's map, or just simply select from a list of areas to which they can fast travel.

While it can be a tad confusing, relying on the list of waypoints is the only way to fast travel in areas like Eidos-7 since they lack a map. There is a picture that somewhat helps the player recall which area they are fast-traveling to, but that is the only hint they can get from the game.

It should be noted that Payphones only work for intra-region fast travel, which is limited to a specific area. If players wish to travel across regions, there is a separate process.

Using the Tetrapod

For traveling across regions, players will need to speak with Adam and then use the Tetrapod to travel to a different region . Usually, players should be able to get back to different regions without many restrictions. Still, there might be certain points in the story where fast traveling is prohibited, so players need to be wary of that.

Stellar Blade

Simple Flying

How fast did concorde actually fly from new york to london.

The supersonic jet cut transatlantic journey times by more than half.

• The Concorde set the record for the fastest-ever commercial transatlantic crossing, completing the flight from New York to London in just two hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds.
• Compared to subsonic aircraft, the Concorde offered a significant time-saving of over 50% on transatlantic flights, with typical flight times of around three and a half to four hours.
• While the Concorde's career eventually ended in 2003, demand for supersonic travel remains, and the Boom Overture is currently the most likely successor with a projected transatlantic crossing time of around three and a half hours.

The supersonic Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde was an iconic delta-winged airliner that inspired the world during its 27-year commercial career. The jet was known for many things, but its blistering speed was one of the most critical factors differentiating it from subsonic aircraft. New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) was one of its primary routes, but how quickly did it connect the airports?

Record-smashing service

The record for the fastest-ever commercial transatlantic crossing was, of course, set by Concorde while operating a British Airways service between New York and London . On February 7, 1996, Concorde recorded a spellbindingly fast flight of just two hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds.

Subsonic aircraft have yet to come anywhere close to the speedy journey, with a British Airways Boeing 747-400 holding the subsonic crossing record of four hours and 56 minutes , only capable thanks to the North Atlantic Storm Ciara sending the jet stream into a frenzy.

Of course, not every transatlantic Concorde flight could be as fast as the record-breaking crossing set in 1996. Nonetheless, the aircraft offered an immense time saving of more than 50% compared to its subsonic contemporaries. Flights could typically take around three-a-half to four hours, around half the time offered by its non-supersonic contemporaries.

In one notable instance in 1985, Genisis Drummer and musical legend Phil Collins performed at Live Aid in London's Wembley Stadium and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia on the same day, a difficult feat even with today's aircraft.

Current services have the New York to London route scheduled at just seven hours, though with differing jet stream speeds and certain North Atlantic Tracks (NATS), times may vary.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here

How did Concorde travel so fast?

The Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde had its meticulous design to thank for the fact that it could cruise as fast as twice the speed of sound . It was streamlined from its body to its wings and extending nose and designed to reduce drag.

Furthermore, because the Concorde could cruise at altitudes as high as some 60,000ft, the forces of nature worked with it. The higher it flew, the thinner the air that it encountered. This consequently led to less drag and fuel burn.

On top of this, Concorde had potent engines. Unlike traditional jet engines, the turbofans on Concorde were also fitted with afterburners. Such technology is sometimes seen on military jets. These afterburners are specifically designed to improve thrust and could give Concorde 50% more compared to not using them.

Why did Concorde need to go so fast?

Creating a supersonic jet was, believe it or not, not in the interest of making it into the history books on the part of Aérospatiale and BAC. Instead, Concorde's speed was considered integral to advancing the aviation industry at the time.

The jet specifically was catering to time-conscious passengers who had money to spend on traveling in speed and style. Therefore, Concorde needed to go fast to match the needs of its travelers, and it did so successfully for a while.

The aircraft's career eventually ended in 2003 when Air France and British Airways retired their supersonic aircraft. The crash of Air France flight 5490, the post-9/11 industry downturn, and rising maintenance costs were all factors in the end of the Mach 2 era, with airlines shifting to more economical and environmental operations.

Post-sonic age

Given its iconic status, it is a welcome relief that, if nothing else, most of the 14 production and six test Concorde aircraft have survived in preservation at museums worldwide.

Despite several initiatives to get at least one of the aircraft up and running again, returning the Concorde to airworthy status would require significant time and investment , and it remains improbable that the jet will ever return to the skies.

However, demand for supersonic travel hasn't waned in the 20 years since Concorde's retirement. The yet-to-launch Boom Overture is currently the most likely candidate to become Concorde's successor.

The aircraft is targeting a cruise speed of around 1.7, slightly lower than Concorde's Mach 2.04. Initial projections put Boom Overture's transatlantic crossing for around three-and-a-half hours, roughly in line with Concorde.

Boom Overture is not expected to take to the skies for at least another six years, with the aircraft manufacturer currently eyeing an entry into service date of 2029 . Current customers include United Airlines and American Airlines, which hold orders for 15 and 20 aircraft, respectively , and Virgin Atlantic, with options for ten. Though route plans have yet to be announced, it's a strong possibility that the supersonic jet could be scheduled on the New York to London route, marking its return for the first time in almost 30 years. What's another six years to wait?

Read More: Concorde Vs Boom Overture - Which Supersonic Aircraft Is Better?

What do you make of Concorde's blistering transatlantic crossings? Did you ever have the chance to fly on one? Let us know in the comments.