All aircraft have a specified 'service ceiling' that defines the maximum height at which it should be operated. For most modern commercial jets today, this is around 41,000 feet.
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The maximum height that a commercial airplane is allowed to reach when they fly is 42,000 feet, as this is the universally approved maximum altitude. This max altitude for airplanes is known as the “service ceiling.” Most commercial air jets fly at such a high altitude because it is known to optimize efficiency.
Most commercial jetliners have a service (or certificated) ceiling of about 42,000 ft (12.8 km; 8.0 mi) and some business jets about 51,000 ft (15.5 km; 9.7 mi). Before its retirement, the Concorde supersonic transport (SST) routinely flew at 60,000 ft (18.3 km; 11.4 mi).
So, what is the highest altitude a plane can fly? Currently, the 'highest-flying private jet' title goes to the Gulfstream G650, which reaches a service ceiling of 51,000 feet. Here's what you need to know about private jet altitude.
A series of Navy and Air Force programs in the 1950s and 1960s used pressure vessels or pressure suits to get balloonists higher, some to above 100,000 feet. Skydiver Nicholas Piantanida set an unofficial record—123,500 feet—in 1966, but a later attempt went awry when his helmet depressurized.
The static ceiling is simply the point above which the aircraft won't be able to produce enough thrust and lift to sustain that altitude. You'll start losing velocity, and as you do so, also start losing altitude. Nothing fails outright. You just don't have enough energy to climb or even stay level.
The maximum height that a commercial airplane is allowed to reach when they fly is 42,000 feet, as this is the universally approved maximum altitude. This max altitude for airplanes is known as the “service ceiling.” Most commercial air jets fly at such a high altitude because it is known to optimize efficiency.
Hazardous weather conditions and larger weather systems can occur over bodies of water. These include thunderstorms, which are extremely hazardous to flights.
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.
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.
For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL. So, when you fly at high altitudes, supplemental oxygen is the only solution.
What is the ceiling altitude for the Airbus A320? According to wikipedia the service ceiling for A320 is 39,000 ft (the A319 and A321 have a service ceiling of 41,000 ft).