In some cases, planes may wait on the ground for only a short period of time, such as 30 minutes to an hour, before departing on their next flight. This is more common for short-haul flights with quick turnarounds. Usually takes at least 20- 30 minutes to unload load and fuel.

The process of preparing an aircraft for its next flight after landing is known as the "turnaround," and it typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the size of the plane and the airline's business model. Low-cost carriers like Southwest or Ryanair aim for "ultra-fast" turns of 25–35 minutes, where passengers deplane and board almost simultaneously. For a large wide-body aircraft (like a Boeing 777) on an international route, the turn usually takes 90–120 minutes. During this window, several high-speed tasks occur: ground crews unload luggage and cargo, the "catering" team replaces food and beverages, the "lavatory service" trucks empty waste tanks, and the "fueling" team pumps thousands of gallons of Jet A. Simultaneously, a cleaning crew tidies the cabin while the pilots perform a "walk-around" inspection and program the new flight plan into the computer. In 2026, any delay in these synchronized steps can lead to a "domino effect" of late flights throughout the day.