The world of aviation has come a long way since the Wright Brothers made their historic flight in 1903. Today, there are countless types of aircraft that allow us to travel faster, farther, and more comfortably than ever before. One of the most exciting aspects of aviation is the speed at which these planes can travel. From supersonic jets to sleek and efficient airliners, here are the top 5 fastest airliners of all time.
Concorde
The Concorde was a supersonic jet that could fly at speeds of up to 1,354 mph (2,179 km/h), making it the fastest commercial airliner ever built. It was jointly developed by British and French engineers and entered service in 1976. The Concorde was capable of flying from New York to London in just over three hours, less than half the time it took other commercial airliners to make the same journey. The Concorde was retired from service in 2003, but it remains a symbol of the incredible engineering achievements of the 20th century.
Tupolev Tu-144
The Tupolev Tu-144, or Konkordski as it was dubbed, was a supersonic jet developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It was the first commercial airliner to fly at supersonic speeds, flying 2 months before Concorde. It had a maximum cruising speed of 1,510 mph (2,430 km/h). However, the Tupolev Tu-144 was plagued by technical issues and safety concerns, and it was retired from service in 1985 after just 102 flights.
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body airliner that was developed by Airbus. It has a maximum cruising speed of 634 mph (1,020 km/h), making it one of the fastest airliners in service. The Airbus A380 is the largest passenger airliner in the world, and it is capable of carrying up to 853 passengers over a range of 8,000 nautical miles. It is known for its spacious interior, advanced technology, and low noise levels.
Boeing 747-8i
The Boeing 747-8i is a wide-body airliner that was developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It has a maximum cruising speed of 614 mph (988 km/h), and it is currently one of the fastest airliners in service. The Boeing 747-8i (passenger version) has had limited success as airlines are opting for the more economical giant twins such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. The Boeing 747-8i is capable of carrying up to 660 passengers over a range of 8,000 nautical miles.
Convair 990 Coronado
The Convair 990 Coronado was a jet airliner that was designed and built by the Convair division of General Dynamics in the United States. It had a maximum cruising speed of 610 mph (980 km/h), making it one of the fastest airliners of its time. The Convair 990 Coronado was in service from 1961 to 1973, and it was primarily used by Swissair and American Airlines.
In conclusion, the world of aviation has seen many incredible achievements in speed and efficiency over the years. From the Concorde to the Airbus A380, each of these aircraft represents a major milestone in the history of commercial aviation. While some of these planes are no longer in service, they continue to inspire awe and fascination among aviation enthusiasts and the general public alike.
I don’t know how fast it was, but the Lockheed Tri-Star was a very spacious, quiet airliner. I think it deserves honorable mention.
Hi William,
you’re absolutely right, the Lockheed L1011 Tristar was a very advanced aircraft for its time. This time we’re just talking about speed but would love to hear any stories you’ve got related to the L1011.
Cheers Peter
https://www.modernairliners.com/lockheed-l1011-tristar
What about boeing 787 dreamliners and airbus a350 cruising at over 1000 kmph?
HS 121 Trident should not be underestimated among the fast transport airplanes its normal cruise speed was .88 true
Mach
At Mach .9 cruise the B727 is fastest subsonic functional transport aircraft. It still beats the lot today. With supersonics gone, the B727 is now the fastest transport jet. No high bypass engined monster can catch it. That’s why ATC releases it first. The 380 is a .85 Cruise. Has gone supersonic in a shallow dive. Not a fair comparison. Put all in a dive and the swept wing 727 will still get away.
Sorry Guys,
Totally forgot the VC10. A BAOC flight had fastest run Eastbound on the Atlantic (I believe it is still held today). I have regularly flown at M0,92. Flight trials took her up to M0,96. After Concorde was retired the RAF VC10K aircraft were the fastest airliner in the world (although setup for air-to-air refuelling, they could also carry a full passenger load. Retired from military service in 2013.
yours,
VC10 operator (rtd)
How can the Concorde be listed as the fastest commercial airliner when even in this very article you’ve listed that the Tupolev flee 251 km/h faster than it?
Ok
Hello there.
The A380 being listed as faster than the B747 is incorrect.
The A380 has an MMO of M.89, while the B747 has an MMO of M.92.
The sweep angle of the B747 wings is the greater and designed for faster cruising speeds.
Cheers