How long can a plane fly with one engine?

Current title holder for the aircraft with the longest ETOPS rating is the Airbus 350-900, certified to fly for up to 370 minutes on one engine. That gives it a maximum diversion distance up to 2500 nautical miles, or 4630 kilometres.



Modern commercial aircraft are designed with a high level of redundancy, and they can technically fly indefinitely with one engine as long as they have sufficient fuel and maintain a safe altitude. The distance and time a twin-engine plane can fly on a single engine is governed by ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) regulations. In 2026, many modern jets like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 are certified for ETOPS-330 or even ETOPS-370, meaning they are legally allowed to fly up to 330 or 370 minutes (over 6 hours) away from the nearest suitable emergency diversion airport. If an engine fails during flight, the aircraft will experience a "drift-down" to a lower cruising altitude where the single remaining engine can maintain level flight more efficiently. The pilot will then divert to the nearest landing site as a safety precaution. While the plane can stay airborne for hours on one engine, the primary concern is the additional strain on the working engine and the loss of electrical and hydraulic power provided by the failed engine, which is why all airlines mandate an immediate diversion to ensure the safest possible outcome.

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