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What is taxi in airport terms?

Taxiing (rarely spelled taxying) is the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, in contrast to towing or pushback where the aircraft is moved by a tug. The aircraft usually moves on wheels, but the term also includes aircraft with skis or floats (for water-based travel).



In aviation terminology, "taxiing" refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground under its own power, excluding the high-speed runs for takeoff and landing. When a pilot "taxis" the plane, they are navigating the taxiways—the paved paths that connect the runways to the hangars, terminals, and aprons. The term originated around 1911, as the slow, deliberate movement of early aircraft reminded observers of taxicabs cruising for passengers. Today, taxiing is a critical phase of flight where pilots receive specific "taxi instructions" from Air Traffic Control to ensure safe separation from other ground traffic. Most modern jets taxi at speeds of 15 to 20 knots (approx. 18–23 mph) to prevent tire damage and ensure they can stop quickly. Steering is typically controlled by a "tiller" wheel or rudder pedals. Interestingly, a standard commercial jet like an A320 can spend over 3 hours a day taxiing, prompting many airports in 2026 to implement "electric taxiing" systems to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

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Only when there's enough space for the aircraft to start taxiing forward is the pushback vehicle uncoupled. From that point on, the pilot steers the aircraft to the runway. This is a challenge—not only because of the wingspan, but also because of the many regulations that have to be observed during taxiing.

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In the US, taxi time is included in flight time only if the taxi time was incidental to an intended flight. Taxiing only for the purpose of moving the aircraft on the ground does not count. Otherwise, the FAA does not strongly nor strictly define flight time.

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