Quantcast

What do pilots do during an aircraft's turnaround

Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
Qatar Airways Nears Boeing 777 Fleet-Wide Starlink Upgrade
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
50 New Routes Launching In April 2025
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
What do pilots do during an aircraft's turnaround
Policy
Webp q21f5nitffycj044lotyey7psz4t
Joanna Bailey Managing Editor | Simple Flying

Turn times for aircraft vary based on their size, with larger planes requiring longer turnaround periods. Pilots and flight attendants utilize this time for rest, food, or exercise in crew lounges when available. Turn times are included in duty time limitations, adding complexity to the scheduling.

The duration of turn times is critical during long duty days, especially when crews have multiple flights. The time between flights is used to reenergize and prepare for the next leg. Activities during turnarounds depend on the available time between gate arrival and the next scheduled departure.

Larger aircraft like Airbus A321s or Boeing 757s generally have longer turn times compared to smaller planes such as A319s or Boeing 717s. Regional jets typically have turn times of 30-45 minutes, while mainline aircraft take between one and two hours.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Southwest Airlines revolutionized quick turns in the mid-1970s with a pit-stop approach for their Boeing 737s, achieving 10-minute turns at one point. However, current security regulations and larger planes now prevent such rapid turnarounds.

During typical hour-long turnarounds, it is common for one pilot to prepare for the next flight while another fetches refreshments from the terminal for the entire team. Flight attendants often remain onboard due to their responsibilities until all passengers have deplaned and must be back before boarding commences.

Some airlines allow flight attendants to request breaks upon arrival if there are standby crews available to pre-board the next flight. Crew lounges at base airports provide spaces for rest and exercise during longer breaks.

Crew rooms offer various amenities including planning rooms, nap spaces, food, coffee, and even gyms where pilots can work out during extended breaks. These rooms also feature armchairs, televisions, computers for accessing airline servers, training materials, email access, safety publications, and newsletters.

Despite resting in crew lounges during long turnarounds counting towards duty time limitations just as much as flying does. Duty time accrual continues until pilots or flight attendants are released by crew scheduling after their last flight.

Weather delays can further complicate duty periods as crews might get stuck at gates due to conditions like thunderstorms preventing plane pushbacks. During such delays with open doors and attached jetbridges, pilots coordinate with various entities while flight attendants address passenger concerns.

Flight attendants face compensation challenges since most airlines pay them only for flight time despite being on duty during ground delays with passengers onboard—a significant issue in labor negotiations between unions and airlines.

While few turnarounds are as short as 30 minutes today, many still last an hour or less—enough time for pilots to grab a snack but not sufficient for meaningful disembarkation by flight attendants. Longer turnarounds offer opportunities to visit terminals or crew lounges; some crewmembers seek quiet corners of airports when no lounge is available.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Air India has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, commencing on June 15, 2025.

May 5, 2025

Allegiant Air announced a limited-time promotion on May 1, 2025, offering Allways Rewards members up to $50 off bookings of $200 or more with promo code LOVEALLWAYS.

May 5, 2025

Airlines for America announced its gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for their commitment to modernizing the U.S. air traffic control system.

May 5, 2025

Finnair has announced the cancellation of approximately 100 flights on May 5, 2025, due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union at Helsinki Airport.

May 5, 2025

EVA Air has announced its participation in the 2025 Taiwanese Heritage Night at Angel Stadium, where it will offer giveaways and a chance to win a free trip to Taiwan.

May 5, 2025

Copa Airlines has announced a new codeshare partnership with Volaris, aimed at enhancing connectivity between Mexico and Latin America.

May 5, 2025