How fast can a jet aircraft go?

Jet aircraft speeds vary depending on their design, engine power, and other factors. Generally, commercial jet airliners, like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, have a cruising speed of around 560 to 600 miles per hour (900 to 965 kilometers per hour). Supersonic military jets, like the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, can reach supersonic speeds that exceed Mach 1 (the speed of sound, which is approximately 761 miles per hour or 1,224 kilometers per hour). Specialized research and experimental aircraft, such as the X-15 rocket plane, have achieved hypersonic speeds that go beyond Mach 5 (more than 3,800 miles per hour or 6,120 kilometers per hour).