Yes, except for the take-off. Pilots prefer to hand-fly the aircraft for a few minutes after take-off and before landing when the weather is good, just to stay current with the handling of the aircraft. Most passenger aircraft are capable of automatic landing.

Modern commercial aircraft are highly automated and can perform nearly every phase of flight without direct manual input from the pilots, though they are never truly "unmanned." The Autopilot system, integrated with the Flight Management System (FMS), can handle the climb, cruise, and descent phases with incredible precision based on a pre-programmed flight plan. In 2026, most modern airliners are equipped with Autoland (Category III ILS) capabilities, allowing the plane to land itself safely even in zero-visibility conditions (fog or heavy rain). However, there are critical exceptions: takeoff is still almost universally performed manually by the pilots to ensure immediate response to any sudden engine issues or wind shear. Furthermore, "taxiing" on the ground requires manual steering by the flight crew. While the technology exists for a plane to fly "gate-to-gate" automatically, the pilots' role has shifted to that of "systems managers." They constantly monitor the automation, communicate with Air Traffic Control, manage weather diversions, and stand ready to take manual control instantly if a sensor fails or an emergency arises, ensuring a layer of human judgment that machines cannot yet replace.