Therefore, routes are often broken up using smaller aircraft along the way. Altogether, commercial airliners have the physical capability to travel up to 43,000 feet.
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Many large widebodies have a ceiling of up to around 43,000 feet (12,500 meters). The Airbus A380, for example, is 43,100 feet and the A350 and Boeing 787 are the same (although the larger 787-10 and A350-1000 are lower at 41,100 feet and 41,450 feet).
A higher elevation will require a longer climb, meaning the aircraft will burn more fuel in order to reach its cruising altitude. Additionally, 35,000 feet gives more time for airline crew to address any unexpected mid-flight incidents.
Aerodynamic altitude: If a commercial airliner flies too high, it will encounter less dense air passing over the wings to create lift. This can cause the plane to stall and fall out of control. Depending on the weather conditions and aircraft weight, this can occur anywhere between 40,000 and 45,000 feet.
Most commercial airplanes have a certified maximum altitude of about 40,000 to 45,000 feet. Regardless of its certified maximum altitude, if an airplane flies too high, it may fail in one or more ways. For starters, the engine may suffocate from a lack of oxygen.
The sweet spot for modern airliners is between 35,000 and 42,000 feet, where the plane's engines are most efficient. The way the wings are designed is also unsuitable for thin-air flight as they would not be able to create enough lift. Planes cannot just keep going up and up - at some point, it will stall.