UAE and global airlines deploy third or fourth pilots when duty-time limits demand it, particularly on long-haul flights.
UAE and international airlines typically deploy additional pilots on long-haul flights lasting more than eight to 10 hours, or when crew members need to be repositioned to another city, according to aviation analysts. Extra pilots, however, are generally not assigned to short-haul services as a standard practice.
The issue has drawn attention following the diversion of flydubai flight FZ 1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The airline said an altercation on the flight deck prompted the diversion to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, while off-duty flydubai crew members travelling on board helped secure the aircraft.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft descended by more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before eventually landing safely. Saudi authorities said the captain and first officer sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
The UAE Attorney General has since ordered an investigation into the incident, while flydubai has suspended its flights to and from Israel.
Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, said UAE carriers are not required to have an additional pair of pilots on every flight. He added that airlines in the UAE and across the wider Gulf have not adopted such a practice since the US-Israel-Iran conflict began on February 28.
On Friday, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith praised the courage and swift response of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew of flydubai flight FZ1073 and passengers who helped bring the situation under control.
In a statement, the GCAA said their quick and decisive actions, along with their sense of responsibility, helped contain the incident and prevent more serious consequences. The authority said the response demonstrated a high level of preparedness, cooperation and shared responsibility in dealing with emergency and exceptional situations.
Additional pilots are not mandatory on every flight
Ahmad explained that UAE aviation regulations establish limits covering pilot duty hours, rest periods and fatigue management. These rules determine how many pilots need to be rostered for a particular service but do not require airlines to assign an additional pair of pilots to every flight.
“The decision is regulatory, mathematical and operational – not discretionary,” he said.
When planning crew requirements, airlines consider the entire duty period rather than flight time alone. This includes reporting time, which is generally 60 to 90 minutes before departure, as well as the duration of the flight, post-flight responsibilities, possible delays, contingency allowances and changes in time zones.
If the overall duty period exceeds the permitted limit for a two-pilot crew, a third pilot may be required. If the duty period goes beyond the allowable limit for three pilots, a fourth may need to be rostered.
Why aren’t extra pilots assigned to every flight?
Ahmad said deploying additional pilots on every service would create significant costs for airlines, particularly because pilots are highly paid professionals and the aviation industry continues to face recruitment challenges.
On shorter routes, carrying additional pilots who are not required to operate the flight would therefore offer limited operational benefit.
Modern aircraft are also capable of operating increasingly long routes. Widebody jets such as the Boeing 777, 777X and 787, as well as the Airbus A350, can serve ultra-long-haul destinations, while narrowbody aircraft including the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo can operate medium- and longer-range sectors.
When flight duration and duty-time requirements make it necessary, airlines can roster additional pilots to provide adequate rest, manage fatigue and ensure crew members remain within their permitted duty and flying-hour limits.
“Having an additional crew for those long routes provides a safety net for crew and passengers alike,” Ahmad said.
Hundreds of flights worldwide operate for more than 12 hours. Among the longest routes are services connecting New York (JFK) and Singapore, Auckland and Doha, Melbourne and Dallas-Fort Worth, and Perth and London Heathrow.
Where do additional pilots sit?
Extra pilots may spend part of the journey on the flight deck, but on long-haul services they more commonly use designated crew-rest areas while they are not on duty.
On some long-range flights, particularly when passenger loads allow, airlines may also reserve or block certain seats so pilots can rest during designated periods before returning to duty.
Previous cases of pilots becoming incapacitated
Ahmad also referred to two incidents reported in 2026 in which pilots became incapacitated during flights.
On a Delta flight travelling from Los Angeles to Boston, the captain became unwell while the aircraft was cruising. The other pilot took control and diverted the flight to Detroit.
In another incident involving a Tarom Boeing 737 travelling from Amsterdam to Bucharest, the co-pilot collapsed while the aircraft was at an altitude of 35,000 feet. The captain subsequently continued operating the aircraft alone during the diversion to Bucharest.
Such incidents highlight the importance of established procedures for managing pilot incapacitation and ensuring flight safety when unexpected medical or operational emergencies occur.
