At what altitude do transcontinental jets fly?

Question

I know it's called the lower stratosphere, but what altitude is it? For continental flights pilots fly jets, even the small Embraers, at about 36,000 feet. But I thought the long-haul flights go even higher than that to avoid turbulence.

Answer 1

There is no standard altitude for crossing the ocean. It is all dependent on the type of aircraft with other varying factors built in, (i.e. fuel/passenger load, weather, winds aloft). I'll speak in terms of Transatlantic flight.

Aircraft fly along a predetermined route over the ocean called a Nort Atlantic Track, called NATs. These routes are changed daily to make the best use of weather conditions. Eastbound routes are depicted with an alphanumeric character, S-Z and include flight levels 320-400.

Your aircraft will more than likely increase it's altitude duing the course of it's flight. Take for example; A Boeing 777-200 (I'll refer to it in atc terms as a B772),departing from Chicago O'Hare to London Heathrow. Because of the extraordinary weight at take-off, the B772 might only be able to climb to FL330, (33,000ft at standard atmospheric pressure setting of 29.92 inches of mercury). As the aircraft flies along, it will obviously burn off fuel and become lighter, enabling it to climb to a higher altitude. The final cruising altitude of your flight might be FL400. Stereotypically, the higher you are, the more fuel efficient the aircraft is.

Turbulence can be found at ANY altitude. I've worked Gulfstreams' and Global Express aircraft at FL450-490 that have complained of a turbulent ride.

Answer 2

The limitation on the altitude being used is determined by the following factors:

1) The "service ceiling" of the particular aircraft. (i.e. Embraers EMB-145 has a ceiling of 39,000 ft., a Gulfstream G-5 is certified for 51,000 ft.)

2) The planned route of flight. Aircraft traveling eastbound will travel at odd altitudes (i.e. 27000,29,000,31,000, etc.) and westbound will travel at even altitudes (26000, 28,000,30000,etc.)

3) Air traffic controls choice. During peak times flights may be assigned lower altitudes because of traffic congestion, route of flight, etc.

4) The NAT's or North Atlantic tracks altitude are determined based on weather, traffic volumes, etc. But this is for international travel, not transcontinental flights.

Generally speaking commercial airlines travel anywhere between 8,000-41,000 ft. The lower altitudes are usually occupied by turbo-props (8,000-25,000 ft.) and jet aircraft usually between 21,000- 41,000 ft.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Eric, do you even stay around impressive here? It does no longer help the surf. in certainty, it flattens it. Nor does it help skimboarding. because of the fact the great marjority human beings do no longer stay that merely concerning the sea, it particularly is now no longer an skills. pollution aside, the dry "breezes" from the dazzling Santa Ana subject toppled wood, destroying autos and residences. different circumstances, they reason fires which turn the sky black. maximum circumstances, Santa Anas are on the different hand benign. yet usually, they are able to be killers. it particularly is why we are able to be in opposition to Santa Ana winds. Having a tree fall on you will have the potential to wreck the entire day.

Answer 4

Negative, everytime I have flown to europe they always fly around 36,000 feet. As a plane flys higher there is less resistence and it can fly faster and use less fuel, fly to high though and the wings lose their lift and the aircraft will become harder to pressurize.

Answer 5

some go to FL 39 - -others to FL 41

flight level - then add 000

Answer 6

The same question comes up again

Answer 7

Really not sure about this one