Although many planes can now land automatically in even the most extreme weather conditions, this does not mean they can take off again. In fact, if there is zero visibility, it may be impossible for the plane to taxi and take off at all, as this process requires manual operation.

Modern commercial aircraft in 2026 are equipped with highly advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) that allow them to land in very poor visibility, including heavy fog, rain, or snow. Under "Category III" (CAT III) operations, planes can essentially perform an "autoland" where the onboard computers guide the aircraft all the way to the runway with zero visibility for the pilots. However, "bad weather" involving extreme winds, lightning, or wind shear is a different matter. Pilots will not land if crosswinds exceed the aircraft's safety limits (typically 25–35 knots) or if there is a high risk of microbursts, which can cause a sudden loss of lift. In these cases, the pilot will execute a "Go-Around" and either wait for the weather to clear or divert to a secondary airport. So, while "low visibility" is rarely an issue for modern jets, "turbulent weather" still causes significant delays and diversions to ensure passenger safety.