How fast do planes fly?

Looking at the clouds from the window, the plane seems slow. In reality you're moving at hundreds of kilometres an hour.

Cruise speed

Jet airliners usually cruise at about 78–85 percent of the speed of sound, roughly 800–900 kilometres an hour over the ground. It's the best balance between fuel and time.

Takeoff and landing

An aircraft like an A320 or Boeing 737 leaves the runway at roughly 250–300 km/h depending on its weight, and lands at a similar speed. Flaps let the wing make enough lift at these low speeds.

Wind changes the time

An aircraft's speed is measured against the air. A strong tailwind (such as the jet stream) speeds it up over the ground; a headwind slows it down. That's why the same route can take different times each way; eastbound flights are often a little shorter.

Why you don't feel the speed

In an aircraft moving at a steady speed, just like in a steady train, your body doesn't feel the motion. You only feel changes in speed and direction: the acceleration at takeoff, slowing at landing, and turns.