Are pilots allowed to sleep on long-haul flights?

Sleeping in the cockpit may sound unsettling to many passengers. Who wants to imagine pilots closing their eyes mid-flight? Yet on long-haul journeys, sleep is an essential part of a pilot’s routine, carefully planned and strictly regulated for safety. European EASA guidelines and internal airline procedures define exactly when pilots are allowed to rest and how these periods are managed.

On intercontinental flights, the cockpit crew is usually made up of three, says Captain Tom Schneider, an instructor on the Airbus A320 and A350 and leader of seminars for combating fear of flying. «This allows us to precisely schedule the required rest periods, and we take turns in clear blocks.»

The order in which pilots take their rest is determined during the pre-flight briefing. The final rest period always ends well before approach, allowing the entire crew to complete all preparations and briefings together. Rest is permitted only at cruising altitude and never during takeoff, landing, or other demanding phases of flight.

Rest breaks according to clear procedures

In modern wide-body aircraft, pilots have access to a special Crew Rest Compartment for this purpose. In the A350, for example, it's an enclosed area with two darkened, quiet, and freshly aired berths. Each berth is equipped with a seatbelt, pillow, blanket, individual ventilation, and a reading light. «I sleep like a baby in it,» says Schneider with a laugh. «This environment is designed so that we can truly relax deeply in a relatively short time.»

Alongside these planned rest periods, pilots may also take what is known as controlled rest. This is a short, strictly supervised power nap directly in the cockpit. Schneider explains: «This is only permitted under clearly defined conditions – a timer is set, the cabin crew is informed, and two pilots never sleep at the same time.» The goal is to increase short-term performance.

Before each rest period, a structured handover takes place. The pilots who remain awake receive all relevant information on weather, fuel, system status, and air traffic control. Upon returning to the cockpit, a full re-entry follows to ensure everyone is back on the same level of knowledge. This process is supported by a comprehensive «Fatigue Risk Management» program that emphasizes not only regulations but also the pilots' personal responsibility.

In short: Sleeping in the cockpit isn't a risk, but an essential component of safety. «Thanks to these clear procedures, we ensure that two rested and attentive pilots are always in the cockpit on long-haul flights – especially during the crucial phases of flight,» explains Schneider.