Civil aircraft manufactures seek profitable subsonic transport category operations above 40.000 feet through new and advanced civil aircraft projects, in order to meet with modern airline needs. This is due to the increase of air traffic below this altitude, as well as lower operational cost, and more efficient engines above this altitude. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), responsible for certification of aeronautical products in the United States has adapted requirement 14 CFR 25.841(a) for high-altitude operations, based on the numerous executive jets that operate at altitude above 40.000 feet and have obtained their type cetificate based on special conditions1. Although the FAA is considering revising this regulation, there is not enough physiological substantiation to do so at this time. This way, aircraft with wing-mounted engines cannot fully comply with this requirement and petition for a exemption which is always required. A trade-off analysis of a typical 70-seater regional jet, with wing-mounted engines, for high altitude operation trends has been completed. Aspects such as operational and economical advantages, certification and compliance impacts were considered.