What does the "departure time" refer to exactly for major airlines at airports?

Question

Is that:

- the time loading starts

- the time the plane leaves the dock

- the time the plane rotates (takes off)

- some other time

?

Thanks.

Answer 1

i believe it is takeoff time,,,better b there an hour early

Answer 2

Departure time in international airports are mostly the take-off time so you better get there an hour and a half earlier than the departure time.

Answer 3

It is supposed to be when loading begins. Usually doesn't happen on time, but be there early anyway.

Answer 4

Its the time the plane leaves the gate

Answer 5

Departure time is the time the aircraft leaves the gate, either by taxiing or being pushed back. For many airlines the time is automatically recorded to ARINC by the aircraft itself. A radio signal is sent when the cabin door is closed and the brakes are released.

The departure time is the same for all airlines, large or small.

For what it is worth, a lot of people over the years told me that their watch read a different time than the airport clock. I always told them the same thing-"I run this airline on MY watch, as I cannot see yours."

Regards,

Dan

Answer 6

It's the time the aircraft leaves the gate, also known as "off blocks" time. It's the time the pilots start counting their block hours, not the flight time because that starts when the plane rotates.

Answer 7

It is supposed to refer to the time that the plane leaves the gate.

Answer 8

The time the plane pushes back from the gate.  Likewise, arrival time is when the parking break is set.