Why do planes fly at 36000 feet

Ever wonder why that cruising altitude tends to be somewhere around 35, feet? I did. Going up to a higher altitude also means a higher climb, which means the plane burns up more fuel to get to its cruising altitude. But the sweet spot allows for less drag and more fuel efficiency, but still enough oxygen to allow combustion? Between roughly 30, and 40, feet. Like this post? Since planes fly so high, they're actually above the part of Earth's atmosphere called the troposphere.

That's the area in which the weather happens. That's why it can be pouring down with rain outside your plane window one minute, and sunny the next.

The higher altitude also reduces the chance of turbulence, although it can and does still happen, as some of you will know. Last but not least is what might happen in the case of an emergency.

Should something go wrong, the plane being so high above the Earth gives the pilot a lot more time to try to fix an issue or find a safe place to land. All in all, the 36, figure is not one which has been randomly picked out of the air. For most airliners, that's between 30,ft and 40,ft. Including the flight's direction, turbulence, and flight duration.

Clear-air turbulence CAT affects altitude, as well. Pilots report any turbulence they encounter, and Air Traffic Control ATC uses that information to steer other planes above or below it. Finally, longer flights benefit from flying at higher altitudes; the thinner air reduces drag, increases engine efficiency, and saves fuel. Despite a ton of sky, however, "traffic jams" still happen. According to Your Mileage May Vary , the direction in which your plane is traveling can also affect what altitude it will climb to.

Planes flying eastward including northeast and southeast will fly at odd altitudes i. Routes going in the same direction are also often planned so that planes are 1, feet above or below each other to avoid a collision. Have you ever wondered why the view outside your plane window can be sunny one moment and rainy the next upon descending into your destination airport?

That has everything to do with the altitude. Most planes are flying above the troposphere, where weather events usually happen, according to Traveller. Of course, turbulence still happens on airplanes, but you may be surprised to know that it happens a great deal less because of the high altitude of many commercial flights.