Scheduled, Estimated and Actual Flight Times: Read the Right Clock

First, identify the event

A time without a label is incomplete information. Before comparing two websites, check whether each value describes departure, takeoff, landing or arrival at the gate. Those are different events. Also check the airport and travel date: a flight number can operate repeatedly, so yesterday’s result is not today’s update.

Use the airline or airport as your reference for passenger travel. A tracker position can show the aircraft’s progress, but it does not establish a boarding deadline, gate assignment or baggage-delivery time.

Scheduled is the plan; estimated is a prediction

Scheduled time is the published plan. Estimated time is the current prediction for the event named beside it and can move again. Actual time records an event that the source reports has occurred. Sources may update at different moments, so read their labels and update time before deciding that one is wrong.

For example, a display might show scheduled arrival 18:10 and estimated arrival 18:45. That is a predicted 35-minute change in that arrival event, not a promise that the passenger will leave the terminal at 18:45. This is an illustration, not a live flight report.

Do not subtract different local clocks

Departure and arrival can be displayed in the local time of different airports. Include the calendar date and the source’s timezone setting. A “+1” date marker often indicates arrival on the following day; read the site’s own explanation.

For an arithmetic example, 23:30 on 10 October at UTC+04:00 is 19:30 UTC. An arrival at 02:00 on 11 October at UTC+03:00 is 23:00 UTC on 10 October. The elapsed interval is 3 hours 30 minutes. Subtracting 23:30 from 02:00 without dates and offsets gives the wrong answer. Use the offset applicable on the travel date where daylight saving changes occur.

A practical check before leaving

Write down the flight number, departure date, airport code, status label and timezone. Refresh the official result before acting on it. If the flight is delayed, follow the airline’s check-in and airport-arrival instructions; an estimated departure change does not automatically extend check-in or boarding deadlines.

For a pickup, agree on a meeting point and wait for the passenger’s message. Landing, reaching the stand, leaving the aircraft and reaching arrivals are separate stages. A map marker cannot measure the queue at passport control or the wait for a suitcase.

Further reading

• Qantas — Flight status and information notes

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