Quicker Ascension and Lighter LoadPrivate jets, with their combination of less fuel, a lighter payload and greater power to weight ratio, are able to ascend faster and reach their cruising speed quicker.
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The average private jet can fly anywhere from a few thousand feet to ten thousand feet higher than their commercial equivalents, and there are several common reasons for this. In some cases, it does come down to size, but a lot of the time, it is a choice that is made for the ease and comfort of the traveler.
Much thinner air means that the engines cannot produce enough trust, and the wings would not produce sufficient lift. There could also be problems restarting a failed engine at a higher altitude in the event of a failure, as well as other safety implications of flying at higher altitudes for passengers and crew.
Fuel EfficiencyThe thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak.
Flying at 45,000 feet plus altitude might avoid traffic and weather, but it also comes with its own risks. For example, if the aircraft was to rapidly depressurize and emergency oxygen fail, the time of useful consciousness at 45,000 feet is just nine to 15 seconds.
Planes are *optimized* to fly at certain heights to maximize the efficiency of their engines and their fuel consumption. So jet planes can fly a lot higher than propeller planes, so they do. They fly between 20,000 feet and 40,000 feet because they are designed and optimized to do just that.
Most US military aircraft can exceed 50,000 feet, if they really really try. Again, the limits are classified. Most commercial jetliners cruise somewhere between 30,000 and 45,000 feet above mean sea level.
There are no specific regulations governing civil aircraft operations beyond the altitude of 60,000 feet. Nevertheless, certain exceptional aircraft like the Concorde and the Tupolev Tu-144 have managed to ascend to altitudes of FL600 (equivalent to 60,000 feet).
A major reason for flying at that altitude is money; After labor, fuel is the greatest expense for airlines. That's why airlines are constantly working to maximize their fuel efficiency. Cruising at 36,000 feet helps with that. The higher altitude means thinner air.
The biggest reason for flying at higher altitudes lies in fuel efficiency. The thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak.
So why do private jets usually have less turbulence than commercial airlines? It all comes down to size. Private jets are usually smaller than commercial airplanes, which means they are more agile and can fly at higher altitudes. This makes it easier for pilots to navigate around turbulence and find smoother air.
A common misconception in aviation is that commercial airline pilots make a lot more money than people who fly private planes. While this is true for senior pilots that fly for large airlines, you can also make a good living as a private pilot.
Avoiding Crowds Is A LuxuryInternational flights require you to show up hours before take-off. Private jet charters are a hundred times more flexible. You'll have a take-off time pencilled in, but you don't need to show up until you're about to leave. It also lets rich people avoid sitting in overcrowded lounges.
Because the Earth is a three-dimensional sphere and not merely a two-dimensional flat, East-West surface. Because of this spherical shape, often times the shortest distance is flying more north and south, up over the Northern latitudes and the North Pole, rather than flying east/west over the Pacific.
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.