What Determines the Speed of Commercial Flights?

During a commercial flight, it is common for the pilot to inform passengers that there was a delay during takeoff, that air traffic is heavy, or that certain weather conditions have been observed along the route. These situations are part of the routine of aviation and often lead to small adjustments in how the flight is operated. Among these adjustments is the definition of the speed the aircraft will maintain during the trip.

Even before the aircraft leaves the airport, the flight speed is already part of a detailed planning process. This work involves the pilot and the airline’s flight dispatcher, who is responsible for analyzing the route, weather conditions, aircraft weight, and other important information. Based on this set of data, a flight plan is prepared to guide how the aircraft should be operated throughout the journey.

Despite this initial planning, the speed of an aircraft is not always exactly the same. During the flight, different factors can influence how the aircraft is operated. The presence of other aircraft in the airspace, changes in winds at altitude, and the need to maintain the organization of air traffic may require adjustments along the route.

Another important element in this decision is fuel consumption. In general, the faster an aircraft flies, the greater the fuel consumption tends to be. Since fuel is one of the main costs for airlines, flying too fast can make the operation more expensive. On the other hand, flying more slowly increases the total travel time, which can also generate additional costs and affect the passenger experience.

The type of aircraft used also influences this balance. Newer generations of aircraft usually combine more efficient engines with aerodynamic improvements. This allows them to operate at relatively high speeds without increasing fuel consumption as much. Smaller aircraft or those with different characteristics may operate at slightly lower speeds.

A study from the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA), conducted by the Center for Airline Economics (NECTAR-ITA), investigated how airlines determine the speed of their flights in everyday operations. The research analyzed millions of domestic flights carried out in Brazil over several years in order to identify the main factors that influence these decisions.

The results show that different aspects of airline operations affect flight speeds. Delays during departure may lead pilots to increase speed slightly in order to recover part of the lost time. At more congested airports, on the other hand, the average speed tends to be lower because of air traffic organization. The study also indicates that newer aircraft can reach higher speeds with greater efficiency.

Ultimately, the speed of a commercial aircraft results from a combination of planning and adaptation during the flight. Pilots, dispatchers, and air traffic control systems work together to adjust operations according to the conditions at each moment. This process helps balance costs, punctuality, and efficiency, which are essential elements for the functioning of air transport.

Reference

ALMEIDA, E. E.; OLIVEIRA, A. V. M. An econometric analysis for the determinants of flight speed in the air transport of passengers. Scientific Reports, v. 13, n. 1, 4573, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30703-y