How Much Does It Really Cost to Turn a Plane Around?
Breaking Down the 30-Minute Airport Hustle
When your plane lands, it feels like the hard part’s over. But for the airline, the real race is just beginning, and every second counts.
Turning around a commercial aircraft unloading, refueling, cleaning, restocking, reboarding, is a high-stakes, high-cost sprint that has to happen fast. Usually in 30 minutes or less.
So… how much does this airport hustle actually cost?
What Is a “Turnaround”?
In aviation, a turnaround is the time between when a plane arrives at the gate and when it pushes back out for the next flight. It’s the logistical pit stop that keeps the global flight machine running.
On the outside, it looks like controlled chaos. On the balance sheet? It's a finely tuned dance of dollars.
The Cost Breakdown: Where the Money Goes
Let’s break down the average cost of a narrow-body jet (like a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320) turnaround at a major airport.
Estimated Cost
Ground handling staff $500 - $1,000
Fueling $2,000 – $5,000+
Cleaning crew $250 – $400
Catering/restocking $300 – $800
Lavatory and water service $50 – $150
Gate fees $200 – $600 (per hour)
Baggage handling $300 – $500
Security & customs (intl.) Varies widely 🧾
Total: $3,600 – $8,000+
These numbers can skyrocket for wide-body aircraft on international routes, with turnarounds costing $10,000–$25,000 or more.
Why Time Is (Literally) Money
Every minute a plane sits on the ground is money lost in gate fees, crew wages, and missed connections.
Airlines operate on tight schedules, and delays at turnaround can cause a domino effect across dozens of flights. That’s why low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Southwest obsess over ultra-fast turnarounds, often under 25 minutes.
Efficiency = profit.
How Airlines Save on Turnaround Costs
Pre-assigned cabin cleaning zones to reduce overlap
"Quick turns" with minimal refueling and faster boarding
Optimized crew rotations to avoid swapping staff
Turnaround coordinators who act like air traffic control on the ground
Some airports even offer “turnaround guarantees” to attract airlines, promising fast service, or discounts if they’re late.