The differences at 80,000 feet should be minimal as well, meaning that Maverick's projected top speed (Mach 10.2), if he were to fly the Darkstar beyond 60,000 ft., is around 6,732 mph. This would theoretically allow the pilot to travel the width of the U.S. in under 25 minutes.

Flying across the United States at Mach 10 (ten times the speed of sound) would be an incredibly brief experience. In 2026, with the speed of sound being approximately 767 mph at sea level, Mach 10 equates to roughly 7,600 miles per hour (though the actual speed of sound varies with altitude and temperature). The width of the contiguous United States from New York to Los Angeles is approximately 2,450 miles. At a sustained speed of Mach 10, the flight would take approximately 19 to 20 minutes. However, this is a theoretical "cruise" time; in reality, a hypersonic aircraft would require significant time to accelerate to that speed and even more time to decelerate to land safely. Furthermore, at Mach 10, the aircraft would be generating immense heat due to atmospheric friction, requiring it to fly at the very edge of space (the mesosphere). While "Darkstar" style jets from Top Gun: Maverick popularized the idea, true Mach 10 travel in 2026 remains in the realm of experimental military scramjets and re-entry vehicles rather than commercial passenger aviation, as the "G-forces" and thermal stresses on the airframe are currently insurmountable for human transport.