What exactly are the departure and arrival times? The departure time is the moment that your plane pushes back from the gate, not the time it takes off. The arrival time is the moment that your plane pulls into the gate, not the time it touches down on the runway.

In the world of airline scheduling and passenger rights in 2026, "arrival" can mean three different things depending on the context. For flight status apps (like FlightAware), the "Landed" time refers to the moment the wheels touch the runway (Touchdown). However, for your actual schedule, the "Arrival Time" shown on your ticket refers to "In-Gate" or "On-Block" time—the moment the aircraft comes to a complete stop at the gate and the parking brake is set. Most importantly, for legal compensation (such as EU/UK 261 delay claims), the "Arrival Time" is officially defined as the moment at least one of the aircraft doors is opened and passengers are permitted to leave. This distinction is crucial; a plane might land at 4:00 PM and reach the gate at 4:10 PM, but if there is a mechanical issue with the jet bridge and the doors don't open until 4:30 PM, the legal arrival time is 4:30 PM. For travelers with tight connections, always assume "Arrival" means the gate, but remember you still need time to deplane.