The cruise speed is selected for maximum fuel efficiency. The airplanes can fly faster, and do under special circumstances.
Your gas car's maximally efficient speed is about 35 mph.
Your gas car's maximally efficient speed is about 35 mph.
Modern jets are built to fly slightly slower than early jetliners, both in normal operation and at top speed. The reason is fuel economy, but the difference is real.
I don't understand the need for all the smoke and din in this argument thread. Old passenger jets flew a little faster than modern ones and that's okay!
That’s my point. It. Is. Not. A. Measurement. Of. Speed.
It's dependent on the speed of sound, which is only dependent on temperature, not specifically altitude contrary to popular belief.
Why is everyone trying to ackshewally this? The stat's are publicly available. Aircraft are optimized for a particular speed range and that impacts the designed cruising speed as well as Vs and VNE.