Do Pilots Sleep During Long Flights?
You’re 38,000 feet above the Pacific, halfway through a 13-hour flight. The cabin is dimmed, the engines hum steadily and a thought crosses your mind:
Is the pilot asleep right now?
Surprisingly, the answer might be yes and that’s exactly how it should be.
While it may sound alarming, pilot sleep during long flights is not only allowed, it’s essential. Behind every ultra-long-haul journey is a carefully planned system of rest, regulation, and crew rotation that keeps everyone on board safe and alert.
The Myth: Pilots Must Stay Awake the Whole Flight
The Reality: Fatigue is dangerous. Rest is mandatory.
Flying across continents or oceans isn’t a one-person job. Most long-haul flights have multiple pilots, and international aviation authorities require them to take turns resting.
Why? Because pilot fatigue is a real safety risk, just like driver fatigue on the road. In fact, studies by the FAA and EASA have shown that fatigue impairs performance as much as alcohol.
Controlled Rest
On shorter long-haul flights (6–9 hours), airlines may allow what's called controlled rest in the cockpit. Here’s how it works:
One pilot rests while the other maintains full command
The resting pilot sleeps in their seat, reclined, often with a blanket and eye mask
Rest typically lasts 20–45 minutes, enough to reduce fatigue but not enter deep sleep
Strict protocols are followed, and air traffic control is always informed
Crew Rest Compartments
On ultra-long-haul flights (over 10+ hours), most wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777 or Airbus A350 are equipped with crew rest compartments, secret sleeping areas hidden above or below the passenger cabin.
These include:
Flat beds or sleeping bunks for pilots and flight attendants
Curtains, noise insulation, dim lighting, and even temperature control
A rotating schedule so all pilots get adequate rest before landing
Depending on the route and airline, a long-haul flight may carry three or four pilots to rotate duties and allow sleep breaks without compromising safety.
How Pilot Rest Is Regulated
Rest isn’t a luxury, it’s required by law. Aviation authorities like the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) enforce strict Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which govern:
Maximum flight hours per day
Mandatory rest periods before and after duty
Limits on consecutive working days
Required in-flight rest duration based on total flight time
Airlines must comply and pilots must be fit for duty.
What About Autopilot?
Yes, planes fly on autopilot during cruise but this doesn’t mean they’re unattended.
At least one pilot is always awake and monitoring systems, weather, route deviations, and communication with air traffic control.