Why do planes fly so high?

Question

Why do planes fly so high?

Answer 1

I think its cause the air is less dense higher up and you don't need as much fuel to beat through the air.

Answer 2

To catch trade winds.

Answer 3

Commercial aircraft fly at higher altitudes because the air is thinner up there and the plane runs more efficiently at cruising altitude, as well as you can usually get up and over the weather making the flight much more enjoyable for the passengers.

Answer 4

sound would be my best guess and that there are somany planes in the sky that they need to fly at different attitudes

Answer 5

There are two or three primary reasons that planes fly "high".

1)  turbine, i.e., jets get much better fuel effeciency above 25,000 ft or so.  

2) If you above 25,000ft, you will be above most of the weather except for major thuderstorms. The air will usually be less turbulent and the ride smoother.

3) If you are going in the same direction as the wind, you can get a boost to your groundspeed, as much as 100 - 150mph.

Answer 6

a

Answer 7

The higher the altitude the thinner the air.  With less air there is less resistance so the planes can fly further or faster with the same amount of fuel.  Also there is less turbulence at higher elevations.

Answer 8

fuel efficency, catch the jet stream, among many other safety reasons. I, since i love aiplanes, would enjoy having B-777 at 3000 feet (DURING THE DAY!)

Answer 9

I can't believe the number of people who post answers on topics they know nothing about.  The first three answers are just guesses, and wrong guesses at that.

The answerer with the three (3) reasons is correct.

1.  Fuel efficiency

2.  Weather avoidance

3.  Upper air current advantages

Answer 10

Main reasons:

1) Better fuel efficiency

2) Avoid weather

3) Upper winds - speed bonus

Other nice reasons

4) More options in the event of an engine/dual engine failure

5) Noise abatement

6) Avoid low flying general aviation taffic

7) Avoid mountains/terrain

8) Longer radio range (for both communication and navigation)

9) Longer line of sight

Answer 11

lol wow thats a funny question...... it sounds like something a 5 year old would say! (just kidding).  Well, they use fuel and when they gather enough speed (usually about 500 miles per hour) they use it to ride up into the air.  sinse they are going so fast, it makes them able to get up reeeeeeeeeeeeellllyyyy high, lol.