The aircraft is the second fastest method of transport, after the rocket. Commercial jets can reach up to 955 kilometres per hour (593 mph), single-engine aircraft 555 kilometres per hour (345 mph).

Identifying the "second fastest" mode of transportation depends on whether you are looking at commercial travel or experimental technology. Generally, commercial aircraft are the fastest widely available mode of transport, cruising at speeds of 800 to 900 km/h. This leaves high-speed rail (HSR) as the second fastest practical mode for regional travel. Modern high-speed trains, such as the Shanghai Maglev or the French TGV, can operate at speeds between 300 and 430 km/h. While private jets or supersonic experimental craft exist, in terms of global infrastructure and passenger volume, the high-speed train is the silver medalist. It bridges the gap between the slow speed of cars or traditional buses and the high velocity of flight. In some corridors, like Tokyo to Osaka or Paris to Lyon, the "door-to-door" time of HSR is actually faster than flying when you factor in airport security and transit.