When you see a plane flying in the sky from the ground, it might appear to be moving slowly. The same illusion can occur when you’re up in the sky inside a plane. Looking down from the plane’s window, it might seem like you are flying slowly, and it feels easy to walk around in the cabin. But in reality, you’re moving quite fast. In a commercial plane, like an Airbus A320, you might be curious about your actual flying speed. Typically, you could be traveling around 800 to 850 kph on average.
However, it’s important to understand that there are two types of speeds in aviation: airspeed and ground speed.
Ground Speed and Airspeed
Ground speed is the measure of a plane’s velocity relative to the Earth’s surface. In contrast, airspeed, typically measured in knots (kt), with one knot equaling 1.15 mph, is a widely used metric in aviation. It quantifies the speed of a plane in relation to the air surrounding it, playing a crucial role in promoting both safety and efficiency during flight.
Indicated airspeed (IAS) and true airspeed (TAS) are the two main types of airspeed used in aviation. Indicated airspeed is the value displayed on an aircraft’s instruments, which is determined by measuring the pressure difference between the pitot tube and static port. However, it’s important to note that IAS may not always provide an accurate representation of the aircraft’s actual speed due to factors like instrument inaccuracies and changes in atmospheric conditions.
On the other hand, true airspeed represents the aircraft’s actual velocity relative to the air around it, devoid of instrument errors or other variables. TAS is determined by adjusting the indicated airspeed to account for variations in temperature and altitude, and it’s also commonly measured in knots or mph.
- Indicated Airspeed (IAS): This is the speed shown on an aircraft’s instruments. It is determined by measuring the pressure difference between the pitot tube and static port. However, IAS may not always accurately represent the aircraft’s actual speed due to factors like instrument inaccuracies and changes in atmospheric conditions.
- True Airspeed (TAS): TAS represents the aircraft’s actual velocity relative to the air, free from instrument errors or other variables. It is calculated by adjusting the indicated airspeed for variations in temperature and altitude.
Factors Affecting Airspeed
Aircraft speed is not a constant; it varies based on several factors. Understanding these elements is key to comprehending how airplanes achieve their remarkable speeds.
- Altitude: At higher altitudes, air pressure decreases, allowing aircraft to move faster. This is because the thinner air at higher altitudes offers less resistance to the aircraft.
- Wind Direction and Speed: The direction and speed of the wind significantly impact an airplane’s velocity. Flying with the wind (tailwind) enables airplanes to travel faster, while flying against the wind (headwind) slows them down and increases fuel consumption.
- Total Thrust: The speed of an airplane also hinges on the thrust produced by its engines. Different commercial jets have varying engine capacities, which affects their overall speed.
Speeds at Different Phases of Flight
The speed of an airplane varies significantly during different stages of its journey, from takeoff to cruising and landing.
- Takeoff Speeds: During takeoff, commercial airplanes typically reach speeds between 160 and 180 mph (140 to 156 knots). This speed range is essential for the airplane to achieve enough lift to transition from ground to air.
- Cruising Speeds: Once at cruising altitude, most commercial airliners maintain a speed between 550 and 600 mph (478 to 521 knots). This range is a balance between efficiency and speed, allowing for timely travel while conserving fuel.
- Landing Speeds: The landing phase sees a reduction in speed. Affected by the aircraft’s current weight, commercial airplanes typically land at speeds ranging from 130 to 160 mph (112 to 156 knots). This speed ensures a safe descent and touchdown.
Cruising Speeds of Different Commercial Airplanes
In case you’re wondering how fast you could possibly be flying in certain commercial airplanes, here are the average cruising speeds of different models. However, as mentioned above, these speeds can be affected by various factors and operating conditions.
| Aircraft Model | Cruising Speed (kph) | Cruising Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 828 | 514 |
| Airbus A320neo | 829 | 515 |
| Airbus A321 | 828 | 514 |
| Airbus A321neo | 829 | 515 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 839 | 521 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 842 | 523 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 9 | 839 | 521 |
| Boeing 737-900 | 842 | 523 |
| Airbus A350-900 | 910 | 565 |
| Airbus A350-1000 | 907 | 563 |
| Boeing 787-9 | 913 | 567 |
| Boeing 787-10 | 913 | 567 |
| Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental | 917 | 570 |
| Airbus A380 | 903 | 561 |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 905 | 562 |
| ATR 72-500 | 511 | 317 |
| ATR 72-600 | 511 | 317 |
| DeHavilland DHC Dash 8-400 | 667 | 414 |
| Embraer E195 | 870 | 540 |
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
