Discover the surprising lie pilots tell when your flight is delayed!
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Have you ever been stuck in an airport, anxiously waiting for your delayed flight, when the pilot assures you they'll 'make up time' in the air?
If you've ever wondered about the truth behind this claim, you're not alone.
Pilots have recently revealed that this is often a comforting fib told to passengers, especially on shorter flights.
The reality of air travel is that delays are a common occurrence.
They can be caused by a myriad of factors, from weather conditions to mechanical issues, and even air traffic congestion.
During peak travel times, such as the summer holiday season, these delays can become even more frequent.
When a flight is delayed, passengers are often reassured by the flight crew that they will 'make up time' in the air.
This phrase has become a common refrain in the aviation industry, but according to pilots, it's not always entirely accurate.
A pilot recently took to social media to shed some light on this common claim.
'There is very little we can actually do to “make-up time”,' they explained.
'The longer the flight, the more we can do, but still, we're talking 5-10 minutes, not an hour.'
So, what does 'making up time' actually entail? It's not about flying faster, as one might assume.
Instead, pilots can request 'direct routings' or shortcuts and utilise wind speed to maximise tailwinds.
Nick Anderson, a pilot for an international airline, explained to Condé Nast Traveler that flights operate within a 'small speed bracket’.
This means they fly at the fastest speed that is most economical.
'It's not just a cost to the company, it's a cost to the environment,' Anderson said.
Indeed, the faster an aircraft flies, the more fuel it burns. This not only increases costs but also affects the environment negatively.
Therefore, pilots will only choose to fly at greater speeds if it means avoiding other costly issues, such as missed flight connections.
So, if you're looking to avoid delays, what can you do?
Well, it turns out travellers who prefer earlier flights have an edge.
According to Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot Charlie Page, booking an earlier flight can help: ‘The summer holidays bring increased demand for flights and with that comes inevitable problems.’
'The early bird gets airborne, statistically, with less delays and fewer cancellations,' Pilot Kathleen Bangs told a news source.
'The later it gets in the day, the more likely your flight is to be delayed or cancelled.'
In conclusion, while the claim that pilots can 'make up time' in the air is often more of a comforting phrase than a reality, understanding the complexities of the airline industry can help passengers to better navigate the challenges of air travel.
So next time you're faced with a delay, remember to take the pilot's reassurances with a grain of salt, and use the opportunity to enjoy a good book or catch up on your favourite show.
After all, travel is about the journey, not just the destination.
What are your experiences with flight delays? Have you ever been told that the pilot would 'make up time' in the air? Share your stories in the comments below.
If you've ever wondered about the truth behind this claim, you're not alone.
Pilots have recently revealed that this is often a comforting fib told to passengers, especially on shorter flights.
The reality of air travel is that delays are a common occurrence.
They can be caused by a myriad of factors, from weather conditions to mechanical issues, and even air traffic congestion.
During peak travel times, such as the summer holiday season, these delays can become even more frequent.
Most of the time, passengers are told that the flight crew will ‘make up time’ while in the air if a flight is running late. Image: Freepik
When a flight is delayed, passengers are often reassured by the flight crew that they will 'make up time' in the air.
This phrase has become a common refrain in the aviation industry, but according to pilots, it's not always entirely accurate.
A pilot recently took to social media to shed some light on this common claim.
'There is very little we can actually do to “make-up time”,' they explained.
'The longer the flight, the more we can do, but still, we're talking 5-10 minutes, not an hour.'
So, what does 'making up time' actually entail? It's not about flying faster, as one might assume.
Instead, pilots can request 'direct routings' or shortcuts and utilise wind speed to maximise tailwinds.
Nick Anderson, a pilot for an international airline, explained to Condé Nast Traveler that flights operate within a 'small speed bracket’.
This means they fly at the fastest speed that is most economical.
'It's not just a cost to the company, it's a cost to the environment,' Anderson said.
Indeed, the faster an aircraft flies, the more fuel it burns. This not only increases costs but also affects the environment negatively.
Therefore, pilots will only choose to fly at greater speeds if it means avoiding other costly issues, such as missed flight connections.
So, if you're looking to avoid delays, what can you do?
Well, it turns out travellers who prefer earlier flights have an edge.
According to Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot Charlie Page, booking an earlier flight can help: ‘The summer holidays bring increased demand for flights and with that comes inevitable problems.’
'The early bird gets airborne, statistically, with less delays and fewer cancellations,' Pilot Kathleen Bangs told a news source.
'The later it gets in the day, the more likely your flight is to be delayed or cancelled.'
In conclusion, while the claim that pilots can 'make up time' in the air is often more of a comforting phrase than a reality, understanding the complexities of the airline industry can help passengers to better navigate the challenges of air travel.
So next time you're faced with a delay, remember to take the pilot's reassurances with a grain of salt, and use the opportunity to enjoy a good book or catch up on your favourite show.
After all, travel is about the journey, not just the destination.
What are your experiences with flight delays? Have you ever been told that the pilot would 'make up time' in the air? Share your stories in the comments below.
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wonder what the crew were up to in “Bangkok”
