The Speed of Fighter Jets Across the Decades Compared

The world record for the fastest speed achieved by a manned aircraft was set by Major William "Pete" Knight on October 3, 1967. Piloting the experimental X-15 Major Knight was clocked going 7,274 km/h (4,520 mph), or Mach 6.7. 

For us ground-folk, it's hard to put that speed into perspective, which is why this compilation of aircraft top speeds over the decades is such a shock to the system. 

"Crazy to think there’s just a dude sitting in there going Mach Jesus," Ethan W said in the comments. 

"You forgot my neighbors clapped out civic" joked Griffin. 

And while most of the comments were stunned by how fast planes have become, most people wanted another video on "manholes?"