Getting on a plane means you're going places
Getting on a plane means you're going places

How a plane gets from gate to airborne

Updated February 25, 2019 by CJ

Why are some flights in the air 5 minutes after the cabin door closes?

Why do others take half an hour just to reach the runway?

From doors closed to airborne, your plane can be delayed at these stages:

Push back

Your plane reverses out of the gate (usually by assistance). Is there another plane behind? Is the assistance avaiable?

Typically 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

Taxi

Proceeding to the runway might involve giving way to other aircraft. This may include crossing the runway.

Anywhere from a minute (SYD), to over half an hour (AMS far runway).

Runway hold

Your plane joins a queue to use the runway. Air traffic controllers will use a priortiy queue to maximise throughput based on wake turbulence.

Line up

The pilot moves the plane in to position on the runway.

Take off clearance

Air traffic control gives clearance to the pilot to take off.

Runway roll

The plane rolls down the runway, increasing speed.

Rotate!

Your plane is in the air!