How Long Does it Take to Get Off a Plane After Flight?

If it’s your first time traveling, you might be asking yourself the question “how long does it take to get off the plane after flight?”

After all, once the plane lands at the designated airport or airstrip, there is a process that one has to undergo.

Sometimes, this process can be tedious and stressful.

Therefore, the answer to this question is not straightforward.

In this post, we will focus on the process after the plane lands that is popularly known as the disembarkation process.

We will also answer all related questions to this process so that you can have all the information you need before you travel.

Table of Contents

How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Plane After Flight?

Once the plane lands, the process of disembarking begins.

This involves passengers collecting their bags from the overhead bins and leaving the plane.

The time it takes to get off a plane will depend on where you are seated.

Typically, passengers disembark from the front of the plane to the back, so the closer to the front of the plane you are, the more quickly you will be able to get off.

On average, it takes about 15-20 minutes for all passengers to get off a plane once it has landed.

This time can vary depending on several factors such as the size of the plane, the number of passengers, and whether there are any unexpected issues.

If you want to get off a plane faster, sitting closer to the front of the plane can help.

If you have a connection you need to make, informing a flight attendant can also allow you to leave the plane first.

Please note that this is just the time it takes to get off the plane.

The total time to leave the airport can be longer and depends on several variables including whether you need to collect a bag, require a visa, have to clear items for customs, and others.

How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Plane After Flight? Pre-Deplaning Factors

Having answered the question “how long does it take to get off a plane after a flight?” briefly, let’s look at the factors affecting this process.

Aircraft Size and Configuration

The size and seating arrangement of the plane can significantly impact deplaning time.

Larger aircraft with more seats will naturally take longer to deplane as there are more passengers to exit.

The configuration of the aircraft also plays a role.

For example, planes with a single aisle will generally take longer to deplane than those with multiple aisles, as passengers must wait for those in front of them to retrieve their luggage and exit.

Passenger Load

The number of passengers on board directly affects the deplaning process.

A fully loaded plane will take longer to deplane than one that is only partially filled.

This is because each passenger needs time to retrieve their carry-on luggage from the overhead bins and exit the plane.

If there are many passengers, this process can take quite a bit of time.

Cabin Class

The class of service can influence the deplaning order.

Typically, airlines start the deplaning process with the higher classes (like first and business class), which are usually seated at the front of the plane.

This is followed by premium economy and then economy class.

Therefore, passengers in higher classes can usually deplane faster than those in economy class.

The Deplaning Process Explained

Opening the Aircraft Doors

The process of opening aircraft doors and deploying stairs or a jet bridge involves several steps:

The doors of an aircraft are typically opened from the inside, with the first movement being one of inward motion.
After this, some doors will swing to the side, whereas others retract towards or even into the aircraft’s ceiling.
For aircraft with built-in stairs (air-stairs), these stairs are often built into a clamshell-style door on the aircraft. Air-stairs eliminate the need for passengers to use a mobile stairway or jetway to board or exit the aircraft.
In cases where a jet bridge is used, it is simply a bridge on wheels that connects the airplane door with the airport building. It is a movable structure powered by electric motors or a hydraulic system for its movements and adjustments.
Before the door is opened, steps or a platform must be in position outside the door to provide protection from falling, and guard rails must be fully positioned as soon as the door is open.

In-Cabin Procedures

Standard announcements and instructions given by cabin crew during deplaning often include information about safety procedures, emergency exits, and instructions for leaving the plane in an orderly manner.

Following these instructions is crucial for safety and efficiency.

Cabin crew play an important role in preventing serious incidents and accidents, including events such as in-flight fires, unruly passengers, depressurization, and turbulence.

They also contribute to safe, effective, and efficient operations in normal, abnormal, and emergency situations.

Deplaning Order

Typically, passengers disembark from the front of the plane to the back.

This process usually occurs row by row, with travelers delaying those behind them as they retrieve their hand luggage from the overhead compartment.

There can be exceptions or variations based on airline or airport policies.

For instance, passengers who have paid for a priority option, those booked in suites, and those who have high-level loyalty status may be allowed to disembark first in port.

Additionally, some airlines have started assigning specific arrival times to cruisers for check-in to ensure that the terminal building is not too crowded.

How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Plane After Flight Strategies For Swift Deplaning

Tips for Passengers

Here are some tips for passengers to expedite their own exit from the plane:

Be Prepared: Have your belongings ready and within reach before the plane lands.

Listen to Announcements: Pay attention to flight attendant announcements about connections. They may ask that passengers allow those with tight connections to pass first.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Know what your exit options are as soon as you sit down, and count the number of seats between you and the nearest two exits.

Follow Instructions: Follow the instructions given by the cabin crew during deplaning for safety and efficiency.

Airlines’ Efforts

Airlines have taken several initiatives to improve deplaning efficiency:

Fleet Upgrades: Airlines are investing in larger aircraft, increasing seating density, and adjusting passenger load factors to improve efficiency.
Infrastructure Improvements: Airlines are also investing in transformative infrastructure improvements to boost efficiency.
Efficient Fuel Use: Airlines are trying to increase their fuel efficiency, which can indirectly improve deplaning efficiency by allowing for smoother and more predictable operations.

Airport Infrastructure

The design and facilities of an airport play a significant role in speeding up deplaning:

Terminal Layout and Design: As passenger throughput at airports increases, the passenger terminal becomes a more important element of the airport, attaining a dominant status in the largest facilities.

Planning and Development: Developing an airport requires huge amounts of capital and anticipation of future growth of airlines and passengers.

It involves planning, designing, and construction of terminals, runways, and other ancillary facilities for airlines to operate.

Sustainable Design: Sustainable airport design, planning, development, construction, and engineering of facilities are vital to efficiently meet the changing requirements and demands of end-users, airport processes, and regulations.

How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Plane After Flight? Final Thoughts

How long does it take to get off a plane after a flight? On average, it takes about 15-20 minutes to get off the plane once it has landed.

This process is affected by several factors, including the size and configuration of the aircraft, the number of passengers on board, and the class of service.

You can expedite your own exit from the plane by being prepared, listening to announcements, being aware of their surroundings, and following instructions.

Remember, every minute you spend waiting to get off the plane is a minute that flight attendants spend making sure you and your fellow passengers are safe.

So, next time you’re in a hurry to deplane, take a moment to appreciate the complexity of the process and the hard work of the airline staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Get off a Plane and Get Bags?

Once the plane lands, it typically takes about 15-20 minutes for all passengers to get off the plane.

This time can vary depending on several factors such as the size of the plane, the number of passengers, and whether there are any unexpected issues.

After deplaning, you’ll need to collect your checked luggage.

On average, it takes eight minutes to move a bag from the airplane to the carousel.

However, this can vary depending on factors such as the airport, how big your flight is, how long it takes to clear immigration, and how many bags you need to claim from the luggage carousel.

In general, passengers can expect to pick up their checked luggage anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes after arrival.

So in total, if there are no hiccups, it should take you no more than 40 minutes to get out of the airport once your plane lands.

Why Does It Take So Long to Get off a Plane After Landing?

The time it takes to get off a plane after it lands can be one of the most frustrating parts of flying, especially for travelers with tight connections. Here are some reasons why it takes so long:

Process to Follow: Once the plane’s wheels hit the runway, the pilot needs to pull up to the gate and turn off the engine.

Airport crew on the ground bring out the jet bridge and align it with the door of the aircraft.

Once in place, the ground crew will either signal to the cabin crew that the aircraft can be safely opened, or they will open it themselves.

Passenger Behavior: Passengers are likely already standing, stretching, and reaching over each other to get baggage out of overhead bins.

This can slow down the process.

Potential Issues: Sometimes there can be an issue with the mechanics of the jetway, aligning the aircraft door with the jet bridge, or heavy traffic with several planes landing at the same time.

The jetway could have mechanical issues, or multiple planes could arrive at the same time and overwhelm the ground crew.

The plane could have difficulty lining up with the jetway, or simple miscommunication could mean that it takes a few extra minutes for the gate agent to realize the plane has landed.

Who Gets off a Plane First?

The basic rules of getting off a plane shouldn’t come as a surprise, assuming you’re on a flight with a single exit in front: Passengers in front, followed by those in the back. And aisle seats first, followed by those in the middle and window seat.

A passenger in front always has precedence over those behind them, even if they’re in an aisle.

The main reason for these rules is to allow passengers to deplane with the least amount of friction in the process, and to ensure a smooth transition between flights.

However, there are several exceptions to these rules. For instance, if you’re taking an especially long time to unbuckle your seatbelt, it’s perfectly okay for others to proceed before you.

If you have a quick connection, other passengers might also let you through, assuming you make that request known to other passengers.

Please note that these are general guidelines and actual practices may vary depending on the airline and specific circumstances.

Do Planes Crash More During Take Off or Landing?

According to statistical studies, most aviation accidents actually happen when an aircraft is much closer to the ground, such as during taxiing, taking off, and landing.

Specifically, Boeing’s statistical summary of commercial jet airplane accidents worldwide from 2001 to 2010 shows that 17% of accidents occur during the takeoff phase (10% on takeoff and 7% on initial climb) accounting for 25% of the fatalities.

However, during the landing phase, there are 36% of the accidents (14% during the final approach and 22% during landing), accounting for 24% of the fatalities.

This means that there is a greater chance of being in an accident during the landing phase but the likelihood of being a fatality is approximately the same.

So, while both takeoffs and landings have their risks, statistically speaking, more accidents occur during landing than takeoff.

How Long Does It Take for Baggage to Unload?

The process of unloading baggage from an airplane and getting it to the baggage claim area can vary greatly depending on several factors.

These include the size of the plane, the number of bags that need to be unloaded, and the bag handling methods in place at the specific airport.

On average, it takes about eight minutes to move a bag from the airplane to the carousel.

However, passengers can expect to pick up their checked luggage anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes after arrival.

This time can increase even more depending on the factors mentioned above.

It’s also worth noting that luggage is not loaded in an airplane one suitcase at a time.

That would be very time-consuming.

After passengers check in their luggage, their baggage is stored in unit load devices (ULDs).

These ULDs are then loaded into the airplane.

This system allows for a more efficient loading and unloading process.

What Happens if You Don’t Pick up Your Luggage Right Away?

If you don’t pick up your luggage right away, it may be held in lost and found or considered abandoned and disposed of.

Airport security may also seize your luggage if it contains prohibited items.

If you have a layover, your luggage may be forwarded automatically, but make sure to check with your airline.

For delayed luggage, airlines have to compensate passengers for “reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses that they may incur while their bags are delayed,” within maximum liability limits.

If your luggage is delayed or missing, the airline has 21 days to find it and get it to you.

If you get your luggage back within 21 days, you can still claim compensation for delayed luggage.

But if you don’t, claim for lost luggage.