What is highest altitude aircraft can reach (any aircraft)?

Question

What is highest altitude aircraft can reach (any aircraft)?

Answer 1

most commercial aircraft cruise from 18,000 to 41,000 feet. Their max designed altitude does not exceed 43,000 feet due to pressure differences. The Concorde's max operating altitude was around 60,000 feet.

most military aircraft, such as fighters and attack aircraft operate at altitudes of up to 60,000 feet. They can go higher but seldom do.

The U2 spy plane flew at 80,000 but did reach 90,000 feet a few times.

The SR71 got to 102,000 feet or so once. I did research for a similar question awhile ago and forgot the exact figures.

The F-15 also reached 100,000 + feet.

The MiG-25 Foxbat reached a record height of 125,000 feet once also.

The X-15, a experimental rocket aircraft, went even higher.

the space shuttle goes up to 200-300 miles up

So in short, if you count rocket aircraft (craft that has conventional control surfaces, wings and landing gear but powered by rockets), then the space shuttle went the highest

if not, then the MIG 25 foxbat takes the record at 125,000 feet. It is a sustained altitude record. The fox bat did not just go to 125,000 feet and then leave that altitude. It stayed there for an extended period of time.

Answer 2

A typical commercial jet (most standard flights) cruises at around 28-35,000ft (up to 6.6 miles of altitude). The main exception is Concorde which was designed to fly at a higher altitude (and hence lower wind resistance) at around 45,000ft. Although many jets could fly at higher altitudes, they are usually certified to an altitude giving a wide safety margin. For example the new generation Boeing 737 is certified to 41,000ft (7.8 miles).

Many military jet aircraft are able to fly considerably higher. Often, the plane itself is not pressurised and instead the pilot wears a pressure suit that provides him with a pressurised environment. Originally, very high altitude military planes were used for surveillance – the current versions of the famous U2 spy plane, originally designed in the 1950s can cruise at up to 90,000ft (17 miles). The Stealth Bomber cruises at up to 50,000ft (8.3 miles) and many other combat planes can now also attain significant altitudes.

Answer 3

The space ship one has the record for highest altitude, 69.6 miles.  And its still considered an aircraft because it flys