I hope I convey my point probably, but why do planes go so many thousands of feet in the air? Is it faster that way, or could they achieve similar flight times at a lower altitude?
Does it have something to do with the curvature of the earth?
In: Engineering
It has nothing to do with the curve of the Earth.
The air is thinner, so there is less drag and less noise. That’s better for the speed and fuel economy of the plane, and better for the people on the ground.
Smaller aircraft need to fly at a lower altitude because their cabins aren’t pressurized, so the passengers and pilots wouldn’t get enough oxygen.
Flying at a lower altitude at a lower speed could provide a better fuel economy if the plane was designed for it (due to increased oxygen) but speed is what keeps planes in business.
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