How do delayed flights make up time?

How Airlines Minimize the Impact of Delayed Flights

When flights experience delays, airlines employ various time-saving strategies to mitigate the inconvenience for passengers. Here are some commonly used measures:

Shortened Taxi Times:

• Airport ground crews prioritize delayed flights for taxiing to and from runways, reducing the time spent on the ground.
• Pilots may utilize alternative taxi routes that are shorter or less congested.

Favorable Tailwinds:

• Tailwinds provide extra propulsion to aircraft, increasing airspeed and potentially reducing travel time.
• Pilots monitor weather forecasts and adjust flight paths to take advantage of tailwinds.

Alternative Routes:

• Air traffic controllers can assign delayed flights alternative routes that may be shorter or less congested.
• These routes may involve flying over different airports or using less busy airspace.

Increased Airspeed:

• When permissible, pilots may increase the aircraft’s airspeed to make up for lost time.
• However, this strategy must balance fuel consumption and passenger comfort.

Other Techniques:

• Early Boarding: Airlines encourage passengers to board delayed flights promptly to minimize the time spent waiting on the tarmac.
• Refueling in Flight: Some long-haul flights refuel in the air, allowing them to avoid lengthy ground delays for refueling.
• Crew Coordination: Flight crews work together to ensure smooth transitions between different phases of the flight, reducing overall time spent on the ground.

These time-saving measures help airlines minimize the impact of delayed flights. While they may not completely eliminate delays, they can significantly reduce the inconvenience experienced by passengers. It is important to note that safety is always the top priority, and no measures will be taken that compromise passenger or crew safety.