Understanding Pressurized vs Unpressurized Aircraft for your next Private Charter Flight

Flight Altitudes

Altitude refers to the height above the earth's surface that an aircraft is travelling. Flying at high altitudes is beneficial because it enables pilots to achieve better overall aircraft performance through increased fuel efficiency. The ability to climb altitude also promotes the aircraft's maneuverability in avoiding adverse winds and navigating around potential areas of turbulence. For shorter island hopping flights, lower altitudes may be better suited but flight altitude selection will ultimately be determined by the Pilot in Command, Air Traffic Control or the aircraft's pressurization capability. 

A pressurization system enables an aircraft to cruise at high altitudes whilst providing a consistent cabin environment that allows for optimized passenger comfort and reduced fatigue on arrival at your destination. Pressurized aircraft designs usually offer a cabin altitude that range up to 8,000 feet above sea level whilst actually cruising between 30,000-50,000 feet for jet aircraft and up to 30,000 feet for pressurized propeller aircraft (depending on the route). Unpressurized aircraft would typically cruise up to an altitude of 10,000 feet (depending on the route) and the cabin environment mirrors the flight altitude.

Aircraft manufacturers, especially business jet and long haul airliners, continuously pursue the bragging rights for lowest cabin altitude. Bombardier's Global 8000 business jet is currently recognized as offering the industry's lowest, with a cabin altitude of just 2,691 feet above sea level. This low cabin altitude over a long range flight allows for optimized passenger comfort and reduced fatigue on arrival at your destination.