The official FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) altitude record is 37,650 m (123,523 ft), by Alexandr Fedotov (USSR) flying a highly modified MIG-25 ‘Foxbat’ (designated E266M) from Podmoskovnoe Aerodrome, Russia, on 31 August 1977.

The altitude was reached during a near-vertical climb.

See also Highest altitude in horizontal flight.