Which instrument displays the aircraft's airspeed?

The airspeed indicator is specifically designed to display the speed of the aircraft relative to the surrounding air. It provides crucial information necessary for safe flight operations, especially during takeoff, landing, and in various phases of flight. The airspeed indicator operates using a system of pitot tubes and static pressure to measure dynamic air pressure, which is translated into airspeed.

An altimeter measures altitude by determining the atmospheric pressure and is not related to airspeed. The vertical speed indicator depicts the rate of ascent or descent in feet per minute, providing information on how quickly the aircraft is climbing or descending without indicating airspeed. The magnetic compass assists in navigation by indicating the aircraft's heading relative to magnetic north, but it does not provide any information about airspeed.