The number of hours an airline pilot works each week is not simple, as their schedule is governed by a complex framework of federally mandated regulations. These rules, designed for safety, impose strict limitations on the maximum time a pilot can be available for the airline. The total working commitment is defined by multiple time limits that span daily, weekly, monthly, and annual periods.
The Critical Distinction: Flight Time Versus Duty Time
Understanding a pilot’s work schedule requires separating two distinct terms: Flight Time and Flight Duty Period (FDP). Flight Time, often called “block time,” is the narrowest measure. It begins when the aircraft first moves under its own power for the purpose of flight and ends when the aircraft comes to rest at the gate after the flight.
The Flight Duty Period (FDP), or duty time, represents the full operational work shift and is substantially longer than flight time. The FDP begins when the pilot reports for duty, including necessary activities like pre-flight briefings and aircraft inspections. It concludes after the aircraft is secured at the gate following the final flight segment, encompassing all ground time and waiting between legs. Duty time also includes non-flying segments like deadheading, where a pilot travels as a passenger to reach a required assignment location.
Mandatory Regulatory Limits on Pilot Hours
Regulatory limits governing pilot work hours are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Part 117, which applies to commercial passenger operations. These requirements are absolute maximums that restrict both the time spent flying and the total time available for work.
Maximum Daily Flight Time
The maximum flight time permitted within a single FDP depends on the report time. For a standard two-pilot crew (un-augmented), the limit is typically nine hours if reporting between 5:00 AM and 7:59 PM local time. If the report time falls during the low-alertness period (midnight to 4:59 AM), the maximum flight time is reduced to eight hours. For long-haul operations requiring a third or fourth pilot (an augmented crew), the maximum flight time can be extended up to 13 or 17 hours, respectively, to account for scheduled in-flight rest periods.
Maximum Weekly Duty Time
Cumulative limits prevent the build-up of fatigue over days and weeks. A pilot is restricted to a maximum of 60 Flight Duty Period hours within any consecutive 168-hour period (one full week). This rolling limit ensures that a pilot cannot be scheduled for excessive back-to-back duty days, even if the individual daily limits are met.
Maximum Monthly and Annual Limits
Broader limitations are placed on the total time a pilot can spend operating an aircraft over longer spans. Pilots may not exceed 100 total flight hours in any consecutive 672-hour period (roughly 28 days). The longest-term limit is 1,000 flight hours over any consecutive 365-calendar-day period. These cumulative flight hour restrictions prevent pilots from approaching the weekly and monthly maximums consistently throughout the year.
The Reality of a Pilot’s Work Schedule
A typical pilot’s work month often involves far fewer hours than the permitted maximums. Most pilots operate on “trip pairings,” which are multi-day sequences of flights that keep them away from their home base, such as a four-day sequence followed by several days off. A common work pattern involves 15 to 20 days away from home per month, with approximately 75 to 85 hours of credited flight time used for calculating pay.
Pilots are designated as either a “line holder” or a “reserve pilot,” creating two distinct schedule types. Line holders have a pre-determined schedule for the entire month, with fixed flights and days off. Reserve pilots are on call and must be available for assignment to cover last-minute schedule changes, sick calls, or unexpected delays.
Reserve duty requires availability for a block of days, but the actual flying time is unpredictable. The duty period includes layovers, where the pilot is released from duty and provided with a mandated rest period, typically a minimum of ten consecutive hours, before the next assignment begins. This necessary rest legally breaks up the continuous duty period.
How Pilot Schedules Are Determined and Managed
A pilot’s specific schedule is primarily determined by a bidding process governed by the seniority system. Seniority is established the day a pilot is hired and dictates virtually every aspect of their career, including the ability to choose a base, aircraft type, and monthly work schedule. Pilots with greater seniority have priority in the monthly bid process, allowing them to select the most desirable “lines” or schedules.
The monthly schedule bid is a competitive process. Senior pilots are awarded preferred routes and days off, leaving less desirable schedules for those lower on the seniority list. A pilot might bid for a schedule that maximizes time at home, avoids overnight flights, or focuses on international routes, and the outcome is directly tied to their standing.
Even a fixed schedule can be disrupted by external factors such as severe weather, mechanical issues, or air traffic control delays. When unforeseen circumstances occur, the FDP may be extended, though this is heavily regulated. The pilot in command and the airline may agree to extend the FDP up to two hours to complete a flight. This extension can only be done once before a full rest period is required and cannot cause the pilot to exceed cumulative weekly or monthly limits.
Fatigue Risk Management and Safety Protocols
The FAA requires commercial operators to incorporate a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) into their operations to monitor and mitigate fatigue-related risks. The FRMS is a data-driven approach that uses scientific principles to ensure pilots maintain an appropriate level of alertness.
A central component of the FRMS is the mandated rest requirement. A pilot must receive a minimum of ten consecutive hours of rest immediately before beginning any FDP. Furthermore, a pilot must be given at least 30 consecutive hours free from all duty within any 168 consecutive hours, ensuring a regular weekly reset. Pilots have the right and responsibility to report to the airline if they feel too fatigued to fly safely, requiring the company to find a replacement crew member.