The highest a plane can fly depends on the type of aircraft, but for commercial airliners, it's generally around 45,000 feet.
Former pilot Dan Bubb, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, explains that "most commercial airliners have what we call a 'service ceiling' of up to 45,000 feet. The service ceiling is the point where the airplane can no longer develop lift, and gravity begins pulling it down to the ground."
In simpler terms:
- The service ceiling is the maximum usable altitude of an aircraft.
- At this altitude, the plane's ability to climb significantly diminishes.
Therefore, while some specialized aircraft can fly higher, commercial airlines typically operate below or at 45,000 feet.
