I got proof
Having just taken a flight cross country and back for buisness, I had to take a layover in a mid western city which is the norm. I noticed on my ticket that the flight would take 10 hours for what was a 5 hour ordeal if I flew directly. Now previously flights in a commercial jet ran at about 600 to 630 miles per hour. Then having prepaired for the 10 hour ordeal I took distance to distance reading with my GPS (Not while in the air, but on the ground) and I calculated 475 miles per hour on both legs of the trip.
Most commercial flights occur around 36,000 feet, the most efficient cruise for a jet plane is 57,000 feet, but the military gets that air space. Your average 737 doesnt pay for itself until it reaches 300 miles, that's why those little 50 seat commuter planes are put to use for little 150 mile jumps. A 737 flying from Los Angeles to San Francisco (about 300 miles) just about pays for the gas it uses.
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