Tag Archives: Airplanes

The Top 10 Fastest Airplanes of 2024

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Are you in a hurry? What's the rush? If you’re stuck on a plane with noisy kids for hours on end, you’ll definitely feel the need for speed. But which commercial airplane will get you to your destination the quickest?

Here, we take a look at the top speeds of planes worldwide, comparing their velocity and cost.

Buckle up, fasten your seatbelt, and hop on board the fastest aircraft in the sky.

10. Boeing 747-400 – 1056km/h (656mph)

A Qantas Boeing 747-400 takes off for the last time at Sydney Airport after being decommissioned in Sydney, Australia on July 22, 2020. Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Despite being in service for over 35 years, the iconic 747-400 earns a spot on this list. This version of the 747 was widely used by airlines for its impressive range and speed.

Unfortunately, this aging model is no longer being produced, with only one commercial plane still flying. The decline in use was hastened by reduced air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

9. Boeing 777 – 1098km/h (683mph)

A Boeing 777-9 performs at the 54th Paris International Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France on June 19, 2023. Photo courtesy: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Boeing’s popular 777 has been in operation for nearly 30 years and continues to be a key player in the aviation industry.

This aircraft can accommodate over 500 passengers, impressive for a twin-jet aircraft. It can also reach speeds of Mach 0.89, or 1099km/h.

8. Airbus A380 –1098km/h (683mph)

A380 demonstrated at the 2021 Dubai Air Show. Photo courtesy of Airbus

The A380 stands as the world’s only full-length double-decker plane, capable of carrying over 800 passengers comfortably. It’s the largest passenger aircraft ever made, with a width equal to 32 double-decker buses. Despite its size, it can still reach speeds of Mach 0.89.

Over the past 16 years, the A380 has transported over 300 million passengers worldwide. Despite production ending, this aircraft’s speed and luxury ensure it will remain in operation for years to come.

7. Dassault Falcon 7X – 1111km/h (690mph)

Dassault Falcon 7X arrives on land. Photo courtesy: N509FZ/Wikipedia

The unassuming but swift Dassault Falcon 7X is a triple-engine business jet known for its speed, reaching over 1100km/h while carrying 16 passengers in luxury. Its unique trijet design sets it apart from other aircraft, enhancing fuel efficiency.

Dassault has a long history of manufacturing Falcon planes, with the even faster Falcon 10X on the horizon with a top speed of Mach 0.925.

6. Boeing 787 Dreamliner – 1111km/h (690mph)

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner lands at Barcelona Airport, Spain, on January 4, 2023. Photo courtesy: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Boeing’s renowned Dreamliner is known for its comfort and efficiency, but it also boasts impressive speed, reaching 1111km/h.

With over 1,000 planes in operation worldwide, the Dreamliner is a popular choice for long-haul flights.

5. Boeing 747-8i – 1136km/h (706mph)

A Boeing 747-8 flies over Barcelona Airport, Spain, on December 16, 2022. Photo credit: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Despite its aging platform, the 747-8i stands as the world’s fastest large commercial jet, capable of transporting nearly 500 passengers at speeds over 1130 km/h.

In a testament to its capabilities, two 747-8i planes are undergoing refurbishment for the U.S. Air Force, set to become Air Force One in 2024.

4. Gulfstream G700 – 1142.19km/h (709mph)

Gulfstream G700 in action. Photo credit: Gulfstream

Gulfstream’s luxury private jet, the G700, is known for its incredible top speed, matching its hefty price tag of $80 million (£63 million).

With room for 19 passengers, a range of 13,000km, and the ability to fly above turbulent weather conditions, the G700 offers a smooth and luxurious travel experience.

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3. Cessna Citation X+ – 1154.538km/h (717mph)

A Cessna Citation X on final approach to land. Photo credit: Aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

An upgraded version of the Citation X, the Citation X+ offers a larger cabin and increased top speed. While it has a shorter range than competitors, it remains a popular choice despite production ending in 2018.

2. Bombardier Global 8000 – 1160km/h (721mph)

Global 8000 is scheduled to be operational in 2025. Photo credit: Bombardier

If you’ve ever envied Logan Roy’s jet-setting lifestyle on “Succession” but found traditional planes too slow, the Global 8000 is your solution. This aircraft can reach speeds of up to 1160km/h (Mach 0.94) while accommodating 19 passengers in luxury.

With a projected range exceeding 14,000km, the Global 8000 is set to replace the Global 7500 in 2025.

1. SpaceShipTwo “Unity” – 3704 km/h (2301.81 mph)

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity spacecraft returns to Earth on July 11, 2021, after flying over Spaceport America near Truth and Consequences, New Mexico, on its way to space. I will return. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

The world’s fastest plane available for passengers in 2023 will be a Virgin Galactic craft. In July 2021, six passengers on a rocket plane reached speeds of Mach 3 over New Mexico.

Unlike traditional planes, the VSS Unity is powered by a single rocket engine and requires a launch vehicle to reach operational height. Once launched, it can achieve speeds over 3,700km/h at an altitude of around 90km.

After two decades of development, commercial flights have begun, with tickets costing $400,000 for a 90-minute journey.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Millions at risk from ultrafine air pollution caused by airplanes

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Jet engines emit large amounts of ultrafine particles

Aerovista Luchtfotografie/Shutterstock

The health of more than 50 million people living within 20 kilometres of Europe's busiest airport is being harmed by high levels of ultrafine particle pollution from jet engines, according to a report. the study It was commissioned by campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E).

Several Other studies It says ultrafine particles can increase the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, diabetes and pregnancy problems. Darn Fun Setters His team, working at the Dutch consultancy CE Delft, are using these studies to try to estimate the impact for Europe as a whole.

But ultrafine particle pollution is a less-studied aspect of air pollution and there is a lot of uncertainty: “There is little research in this area and the evidence is often inconclusive,” Van Seters said.

Most research on particulate air pollution has focused on particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, so-called PM2.5. Ultrafine particles are particles smaller than 0.1 micrometers in diameter.

“They are very dangerous because they are so small and can get very deep into the human body.” Carlos Lopez de la Osa At T&E.

Jet engines emit more ultrafine particles than other types of engines, so people who live or work near airports are most likely to be exposed to this form of air pollution, but there are no effective limits on its levels.

Ultrafine particles are a type of PM2.5, but PM2.5 limits are set for the total mass of particles per cubic metre of air. Ultrafine particles are so small that even a huge number of particles per cubic metre would not exceed the PM2.5 limit.

In fact, there's very little monitoring of ultrafine particle levels, says Lopez de la Osa. “What we have are mostly regional studies around individual airports like Zurich, Amsterdam, Berlin, Los Angeles,” he says. “We don't have a comprehensive view, and that's one of the main reasons we decided to launch this study.”

To estimate the impact across Europe, van Seters and his colleagues first estimated ultrafine particle pollution levels around the continent's 32 busiest airports, based on figures from surveys of individual airports. The team assumed that ultrafine particle pollution increases linearly with the number of flights and did not take wind patterns into account.

Next, based on studies looking at health effects, the researchers estimated that ultrafine particle pollution near 32 airports was responsible for an additional 280,000 cases of hypertension, 330,000 cases of diabetes, and 18,000 cases of dementia over the years.

“This is a first-order estimate based on extrapolation, and we need to do epidemiological studies to get more precise estimates,” Van Seters said.

But he thinks that, if anything, is an underestimate because the study only looked at 32 airports and people living within 20 kilometres, and excluded people who work at the airports.

In terms of population at risk, Orly Airport near Paris tops the list, with more than six million people living within 20 kilometers of the airport, while London's Heathrow Airport comes in fourth, with more than three million people living within the airport's vicinity.

The research team's estimates of health effects rely heavily on a study carried out in 2022 at Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam. Nicole Jansen Contacted by CE Delft, Janssen and her colleagues at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands said they advised researchers not to try to quantify the impact in this way because of large uncertainties.

But they agree that more research is needed: “We would underscore our recommendation to further investigate the risk of ultrafine particles from aircraft around other international airports,” Janssen said.

There are ways to reduce ultrafine particle pollution levels, says Christina Toth of T&E. Jet fuel can be improved to reduce ultrafine particle emissions, for example by reducing its sulfur content. So-called “sustainable aviation fuels” (SAF) also reduce ultrafine particle pollution.

“Unfortunately, we know it will be a long time before SAF can be produced at scale and be effective,” Toth says.

Limiting airport expansion and flight frequencies and encouraging alternative modes of transport would help, and would also limit flying's impact on the climate.

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Source: www.newscientist.com