Why Planes Fly At 36,000 Feet

Above, climbing to cruising altitude over Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is probably something one really hasn't bothered to think about. But why is "cruising altitude" for passenger planes is at 36,000 feet?

If you have wondered this, Travel + Leisure has posted an article explaining this.

They begin it with:

It’s a common situation for travelers. You fasten your seat belt, listen to the pre-flight safety demonstration (we hope), and prepare yourself for takeoff. After a few moments, the pilot comes on the overhead, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are now at our cruising altitude of 36,000 feet.”

It’s time to kick back and wait for that refreshment cart to come around. But how many of us have stopped to wonder why planes go this high up in the first place? According to USA Today, the common cruising altitude for most commercial airplanes is between 33,000 and 42,000 feet, or between about six and nearly eight miles above sea level. Typically, aircraft fly around 35,000 or 36,000 feet in the air.

To put that in perspective, the peak of Mount Everest measures at 29,029 feet. But this is why we have pressurized cabins: so you don’t feel as if you’re literally trying to breathe on top of Mount Everest.

 To find out the details, go here.