Glossary
Flight Operations
Turnaround
Definition
The time an aircraft spends at the gate between arriving from one flight and departing for the next. Includes deplaning, cleaning, refueling, catering, and boarding.
Related Terms
Block Time
The total time from when an aircraft leaves the gate (blocks off) at departure to when it arrives at the gate (blocks on) at the destination. Includes taxi time, flight time, and delays.
Pushback
The procedure in which an aircraft is pushed backwards from its parking position at the gate by a specialized tug vehicle, since most aircraft cannot reverse under their own power.
Load Factor
The percentage of available seats on a flight that are filled with passengers. A key airline profitability metric — most airlines need load factors above 75-80% to break even.