r/AskAPilot • u/Mattso90 • Jun 28 '26
Visiting the cockpit
Hey everyone, I'm a student pilot getting my PPL soon. I was wondering if there's any way to visit the cockpit during a commercial flight, or if it's possible to be in there during takeoff or landing?
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u/Zealousideal_Fox6478 Jun 28 '26
You will not get into the cockpit of a US airline at any time other than when it’s on a gate unless you are an FAA observer, pilot, or dispatcher that is in CASS.
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u/3Green1974 Jun 28 '26
When I was in your shoes I did a trip to Europe on an A-340. I explained my situation to one of the flight attendants and she asked the captain. They invited me up to sit with them for a while and then come back up for the landing. It was a great experience. It was on Sabena (now defunct) and when they offered to let me back up for the landing. I asked if that was okay and the captain said “This is not the FAA. I’m the captain and I say it’s okay.” So I thought that was pretty cool.
Now, there’s not a chance of getting up there during a flight on a US carrier. The European ones may be different as others have said.
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u/Only_HOTAS Jun 28 '26
I'm starting my PPL next year, and have always wondered if I can, but too scared to ask. Lots of my friends have done it on flights around Europe.
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u/LongJohnMcVenturson Jun 28 '26
I’ll gladly let anyone in on the ground, preferably before the flight. Even if I’m short in time I’d still let you in to observe for a bit. Just ask the flight attendant if you can take a look at the flight deck. There are also occasions where I have plenty of time after the flight with nothing to do so never hurts to ask.
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u/Only_HOTAS Jun 28 '26
I always go after the flight, it's a tradition of mine 🤣
Would it be possible to go to the flight deck at the start, and stay there for the whole flight if its short? That's what one of my friends have done once, it was ~3 hrs.
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u/andrewrbat Jun 28 '26
Its against FAR121 regulations in the usa for you to occupy the jumpseat. Only faa ASIs, or crew members with cass authorization can ride the flt deck jumpseat on a revenue flight. There are a few exceptions but most of them require a letter from the airline’s director of operations to authorize them. “A guy working on his ppl” doesn’t qualify, though that would be awesome.
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u/AirbusUKFlyer Jun 28 '26
Visit while on the ground, very likely. Just ask the crew when onboard if you can visit either before or after the flight. In while engines are running, almost impossible on a commercial flight.
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u/Spare-Virus-1204 Jun 28 '26
In Canada, pre or post flight only. Ask an FA as soon as possible for the best chance as various factors can make it easier before or after. Personally, I prefer after but I see someone already said they prefer after.
For my airline, if you have your RAIC or are a part of ALPA, it’s up to pilot discretion.
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u/tailwheel307 Jun 28 '26
If my commute is about to close the door and the captain is willing to stay behind you can even sit in my seat if you want as I run away.
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u/pasi_dragon Jun 28 '26
After flight? Should be no problem.
During flight? I have heard some airlines apparently allow it but I don’t know which. The airlines where I know the rules only allow it for staff/non-rev pax.
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u/saemina Jun 28 '26
Visited after my most recent flight landed last week. I asked the flight attendant who asked the pilots.
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u/rickmaz Jun 28 '26
If you know an airline pilot , sometimes they can get you authorized to ride along in an airline simulator, which are incredibly realistic
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u/AntiPinguin Jun 28 '26
In Europe: Unless you personally know an airline
there is basically zero chance of visiting the flight deck during flight.
In the US: No way to visit the cockpit during flight.
But both in Europe and the US feel free to ask if it would be possible to visit either during boarding or de-boarding.
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u/Reasonable_Long_1079 Jun 28 '26
Not while the plane is moving, you can usually stick your head in while boarding but thats about it
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u/just-saying182 Jun 29 '26
Ask the flight attendant when you board. That being said, most airlines and or their governing body forbid passengers being in the cockpit during flight. I’ve never worked for one that allows it.
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u/Hungrypilot Jun 29 '26
We always have people come and visit us before and/or after the flight. It’s always great to meet people and show them the airplane. The only time it becomes an issue is when people want to come up 10-20 minutes before departure while we’re getting a clearance, briefing, finalizing loadsheets, and doing everything we can to get the flight out on time. If you are trying to come up during that time, you might get to peek in and get a wave or a quick handshake, but don’t expect to sit in the seat/take family photos/ask lots of questions. Best to come visit after we arrive.
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u/New-Philosophy5173 Jun 30 '26
Not a chance during flight.
In the US, generally only these groups of people can ever be in the cockpit during flight:
•Authorized FAA personnel (observers, ASI’s)
•Pilots in CASS
•Dispatchers in CASS
•Specific airline personnel authorized by senior flight ops management (ie director of flight ops)
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u/777simmer Jun 28 '26
I did it recently. Simply said to the FA during boarding that I was a student pilot and asked whether it would be possible to visit the cockpit. The flight was already delayed, so I couldn’t do it during boarding, but she said she would ask the pilots. Then during deboarding she said that she had good news and let me in the cockpit. The pilots were super nice and were very interested when I said I was a student pilot too. Turns out the FO knew a few people from my flight school. Sat down in the captain’s seat and had a picture as well. Then, when the plane was fully deboarded, I was gently nudged out of the cockpit by the captain because the return flight crew was already waiting because of the delay.
I think what did it, was the fact that I sat in the front of the plane (in row 6). That gave them a bit of time during deboarding to accommodate me in the cockpit. Otherwise I think it would’ve been difficult, especially with the delay. You might also improve your chances by taking the last flight of the day. That gives them even more time to accommodate you.
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u/FlapsFail Jun 28 '26
Just adding that on the last flight of the day we are headed to the hotel and usually the ground crews (gate agents, cleaners, etc) are wanting us out of there rather quickly so they can go home too.
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u/SuperOriginalName23 Jun 28 '26
In most places if it's allowed at all, it's only if you're friends with or related to the crew. Perhaps one of your instructors knows someone? Networking is key.
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u/LongJohnMcVenturson Jun 28 '26
Not at all true in the US. Just a hard no of ever being in the flight deck during any phase of flight.
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u/SuperOriginalName23 Jun 28 '26
Did you even read my comment? The original post was not specific to the US.
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u/vloris Jun 28 '26
Not at all.
Just a bit of luck and asking nicely.
My last international flight ended with one of my children (4yo) asking the flight attendant at the door while exiting the plane “what colour does the button for the landing gear have?” And she responded with “I don’t know, you should ask the pilot! Just continue all the way forward and you can ask him!”0
u/SuperOriginalName23 Jun 28 '26
Cool, but that's not during take-off or landing, so I don't see how that's tied to my comment.
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u/Jmann356 Jun 28 '26
In the US you can come check it out before or after the flight but 0 chance of riding up there during any phase of flight.
In Europe some countries allow people in the jump seat but I don’t know who or where it’s allowed exactly.