Is it ever cheaper to fly than drive?


Is it ever cheaper to fly than drive? For the shortest trip, driving is slightly more economical than flying. But for the longer cross-country trip, flying is far cheaper. And keep in mind that this only considers solo drivers. Families or friends traveling in one vehicle can save money by driving, even on longer routes.


How fast can a plane go on the ground?

Landing speed of an aircraft The same as in taking off, speed varies all the time when landing and is dependent on many factors. Even so, to give you an idea we can say that commercial aeroplanes land around 240km/h. In our case, general aviation aeroplanes touch ground at 85km/h.


Can flying be more efficient than driving?

In 2012, the most recent year counted, driving one person one mile took 4,211 BTUs, while flying required just 2,033. The numbers for driving are based on the average fuel economy of all light-duty vehicles (that's passenger cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans, which averaged 21.6 mpg), using data from the US DOT.


Why should you fly instead of drive?

Airfare should be less affected by high fuel prices than gas-powered road trips. Driving could still be best over short distances or with a large group. Keep the high cost of renting a car (to drive to your destination or when you arrive after a flight) in mind.


What is the slowest speed you can fly?

Technically this is the so-called 'stall speed', where air passes over the wings fast enough to sustain altitude, and for small planes this can be less than 50km/h (31mph). But at such low speeds, the aircraft is easily destabilised, and could fail to leave the runway.


What is the landing speed of a 747?

A 747 'Jumbo Jet' would typically land at a speed of about 145kts-150kts (166mph-172mph), depending on the landing flap setting selected.


At what point is flying faster than driving?

If you're traveling within your state or a state over, driving is most likely going to be faster. If you're traveling more than 300 miles, flying will probably get you there quicker.


How much does a gallon of plane fuel cost?

Jet Fuel Cost by Aircraft Cabin Size For example, on May 11, 2022, the IATA per gallon price was $4.82 in North America, $4.01 in Europe, and $3.55 in Asia. At Boston's Hanscomb Field Jet A was selling between $9.79 and $13.38 per gallon.


Why do Americans drive instead of fly?

It's relatively easy for us, much easier than air travel for example. Gas is comparatively cheap here, we have a federal interstate highway system that is generally well maintained, and you can drive for days without crossing a border or encountering someone who can't speak the same language you do.


Why is it cheaper to fly with stops?

In short, if you take the layover, you'll likely save some money. Why is this happening? It all goes back to supply and demand. Most travelers want to take the nonstop flight as it means getting there quicker and with less chance of disruption.


Is it cheaper to fly or Amtrak?

Train travel is often cheaper than flying, in part because you can generally take more with you before paying extra baggage fees.


How much does a gallon of jet fuel cost?

The cost of fueling your private jet can vary significantly. For example, on May 11, 2022, the IATA per gallon price was $4.82 in North America, $4.01 in Europe, and $3.55 in Asia. At Boston's Hanscomb Field Jet A was selling between $9.79 and $13.38 per gallon.


Do planes always fly at full speed?

Do commercial planes fly at maximum speed? Large commercial jets fly from 550 to 580 miles per hour, but their landing and take-off speeds vary. Most commercial jets fly from 160 to 180 miles per hour, with landing speeds ranging from 150 to 165 miles per hour.


How much harder is flying than driving?

It is during takeoff, climb, descent and landing when pilots are much more involved. These may require more concentration than driving. Landing, in particular, is more complex and can be dangerous.


At what speed is the airplane most efficient?

Simply add the strength of the headwind (30 mph) to your best glide speed (78 mph) and you've got the most efficient speed to fly—here, 108 mph. To determine an airplane's Carson speed, multiply its best glide speed by 1.32. This will get the best result in terms of true airspeed and fuel consumption.