What is the speed of the plane? Revealing the speed difference between civil aviation and military aircraft
Aircraft speeds vary significantly depending on aircraft type, purpose and phase of flight. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the speed data of various types of aircraft, and attach a structured comparison table.
1. Typical speed of civil aviation aircraft

The cruising speed of civil aviation aircraft is usually between 800 and 900 kilometers per hour. The following is detailed data for common models:
| Model | Cruising speed (km/h) | Maximum speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737 | 828 | 876 |
| Airbus A320 | 840 | 890 |
| Boeing 787 | 913 | 954 |
| Airbus A380 | 902 | 1020 |
2. The ultimate speed of military aircraft
The speed of military aircraft (such as fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft) far exceeds that of civilian airliners, and some models can even reach more than three times the speed of sound:
| Model | Top speed (km/h) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| F-22 Raptor | 2410 | fifth generation fighter |
| SR-71 Blackbird | 3540 | high altitude reconnaissance aircraft |
| MiG-25 | 3000 | Interceptor |
3. Recent hot topics: The return of supersonic passenger aircraft
In the past 10 days, the American company Boom announced that its supersonic passenger aircraft "Overture" will be put into commercial use in 2029, with a top speed of 2,335 kilometers per hour (Mach 1.7), triggering widespread discussion. If successful, the transatlantic flight time will be shortened to 3.5 hours.
4. Key factors affecting aircraft speed
1.air resistance: The faster the speed, the greater the resistance, requiring stronger engine thrust.
2.flight altitude: Civil aviation aircraft usually fly at an altitude of 9-12 kilometers, where the thin air has little resistance.
3.fuel efficiency: Supersonic flight consumes extremely high fuel consumption, which restricts commercial application.
5. Future Trend: Hypersonic Vehicles
NASA and SpaceX are cooperating to develop a hypersonic passenger aircraft with a speed of more than 6,000 kilometers per hour, which is expected to be realized by 2035. If successful, it will only take 2 hours from New York to Tokyo.
Conclusion
From subsonic civil aviation to hypersonic military aircraft, speed breakthroughs have always been the core of aviation technology. With the development of materials science and propulsion systems, human flight speed may usher in a new leap in the future.
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