Broadly and generally, the reasons a pilot may leave the flight deck in flight can be grouped into two categories: first, physiological breaks – restroom, stretch, or required rest on longer routes; and second, operational breaks – handling a passenger, aircraft, or crew issue that requires the pilot to leave the ...

In 2026, FAA regulation 14 CFR 91.105 allows a required flight crewmember to leave their station only for "physiological needs" (using the bathroom) or "duties in connection with the operation of the aircraft." For large commercial aircraft (over 12,500 lbs), a minimum of two pilots must be in the cockpit at all times. If one pilot needs to leave, a flight attendant is typically required to enter the cockpit and remain there until the pilot returns—a safety protocol known as the "Rule of Two." This ensures that if the remaining pilot becomes incapacitated, someone is present to open the door for the returning crewmember or assist in an emergency. For small, single-pilot certified business jets or general aviation aircraft, the pilot is technically the only person required on the flight deck; however, these planes are usually too small for the pilot to stand and move about. In 2026, while "single-pilot" commercial operations are being researched, the current legal and safety consensus remains that at least one pilot must be at the controls at all times.