What Does Taxiing Mean on a Flight Status?
Taxiing means an aircraft is moving on the ground under its own power or as part of the airport ground-movement process. Depending on the stage of the flight, it may be traveling from the gate toward a runway or from a runway toward an arrival gate.
Taxiing before takeoff
After leaving the departure gate, an aircraft can taxi through the airport before reaching the runway. Taxi time varies with airport layout, traffic, runway use and operating conditions.
Taxiing after landing
Landing does not mean the aircraft is already at the gate. After leaving the runway, the aircraft may need additional time to taxi to its assigned arrival gate.
Why can taxiing take a long time?
Busy ground traffic, runway sequencing, distance between terminals and runways, weather or gate availability can affect ground movement. The amount of time can vary significantly from one flight to another.
Does taxiing mean the flight has departed?
Flight-status systems may use several milestones around gate departure, taxi and takeoff. If you need to know whether the aircraft is airborne, look for the latest departure or airborne information rather than assuming taxiing means takeoff has occurred.
Does landing mean passengers can get off?
Not immediately. The aircraft normally must taxi to a gate or other parking position before passengers can leave, and the arrival process can take additional time.
Can the arrival gate change while the plane is taxiing?
Gate assignments can change during airport operations. Continue checking current arrival information if you are meeting a passenger or making a connection.
What should connecting passengers watch?
If your connection is tight, remember that runway arrival and gate arrival are different milestones. Check your onward flight and gate again once the aircraft reaches the terminal.
Keep planning: What Does Flight Status Mean? What to Do When Your Flight Is Delayed How to Check If Your Flight Is Cancelled
What Travelers Should Know
Taxiing is ground movement
Taxiing means the aircraft is moving on the airport surface between a runway, gate or parking position. It is not the same as the aircraft being airborne.
Taxi-out happens before takeoff
After leaving the gate, an aircraft can taxi toward the departure runway and may wait in a queue before receiving takeoff clearance.
Taxi-in happens after landing
After touching down, the aircraft taxis from the runway toward its assigned gate. Congestion or an unavailable gate can make this portion of the trip longer than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does taxiing mean before takeoff?
It means the aircraft is moving on the ground from the gate toward the departure runway.
What does taxiing mean after landing?
It means the aircraft has landed and is moving on the ground toward its gate or parking position.
Can taxiing take a long time?
Yes. Airport size, runway traffic, weather, congestion and gate availability can all increase taxi time.
Plan Your Trip
Use your flight details to check status and gate information, then continue with airport, hotel and rental-car planning.