Flying Over Water: What You Need to Know

The Ocean Below Doesn't Change the Safety Above

Flying over the ocean can feel lonely. There are no airports in sight, and the distances are huge. But the safety systems are the same as on any flight — and over-water routes are planned even more carefully.

Special Rules for Long Routes

Twin-engine planes on long over-water routes follow special rules known as ETOPS. They require that the plane can always reach a suitable airport on one engine within a set time — typically 120 to 180 minutes.

Before an airline can fly these routes, regulators like the FAA and EASA check its engine reliability, maintenance and procedures.

Always an Airport Within Reach

Before every over-water flight, pilots are briefed on suitable airports all along the route. The plane carries enough fuel to reach any of them on one engine, plus reserves. At no point is it further than the allowed time from one of them.

Extra-Reliable Engines

For the longest of these routes, engines must shut down in flight less than once per 50,000 engine hours. Modern engines regularly do even better. Read what if an engine stops over the ocean?

Tracked All the Way

Over the ocean, planes stay in touch using long-range radio and satellite links, and many send their position automatically. Air traffic control knows where each plane is throughout the crossing.

Life Vests and Rafts

Planes on over-water routes carry a life vest for everyone, plus enough life rafts for everyone on board. Cabin crew are trained to use them, and that's why the safety briefing covers life vests.

The Bottom Line

Flying over water isn't a leap of faith. It's a carefully regulated, thoroughly planned operation. The engines are extremely reliable, an airport is always within reach, and the crew is ready for anything.

Sources

• FAA, ETOPS and Polar Operations: https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/etops
• IATA, ETOPS Guide: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/ops-infra/etops/
• Boeing, ETOPS: Extended Operations: https://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/aero_22/etops_story.html