SkyGuide for Crews
Pilot Rest, Duty, Reserve, and Fatigue Questions
How Much Rest Do Airline Pilots Get?
Under Part 117, covered passenger-airline pilots generally need a 10-consecutive-hour rest period that includes an opportunity for eight uninterrupted hours of sleep.
Reviewed against primary U.S. sources - July 15, 2026
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Short answer
For pilots covered by 14 CFR Part 117, the common baseline before a reserve or flight duty period is at least 10 consecutive hours of rest, measured from release from duty, with an opportunity for at least eight uninterrupted hours of sleep. Other limits depend on report time, segments, augmentation, cumulative duty, and the operation.
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A legal assignment can require checking flight-time limits, the flight duty period table, cumulative limits, reserve rules, extensions, and consecutive nighttime operations. The 10-hour figure is an important starting point, not the complete legality test.
Rest opportunity is not identical to sleep
The rule protects a duty-free period and an eight-hour uninterrupted sleep opportunity. Transportation, required contact, or a schedule change can matter if they erode the opportunity described by the rule.
Your CBA can add protection
Pilot agreements may create stronger scheduling, hotel, transportation, fatigue, pay, or trip-removal provisions. Review the federal result and the contractual result separately.
This page provides general U.S. educational information, not legal advice or an individual legality determination. Regulations, agreements, side letters, policies, and facts can change the result. Use current official channels for safety decisions, discipline, medical or leave issues, and grievance deadlines.
Primary sources
Use the current regulation, agency guidance, and your current collective bargaining agreement for an individual decision.
- FAA: Flightcrew Member Duty and Rest Requirements Final Rule
Federal Aviation Administration - FAA Advisory Circular 117-3: Fitness for Duty
Federal Aviation Administration
Related crew questions
What is the difference between a pilot flight duty period and duty?
Part 117 defines flight duty period and duty separately, which matters for deadhead, training, administrative work, rest, and cumulative limits.
Pilot rest and fatigueCan a pilot accept an assignment when fatigued?
Part 117 makes fitness for duty a shared responsibility and bars an assignment after the pilot reports being too fatigued to perform safely.
Pilot rest and fatigueDoes deadhead count as pilot duty or rest?
Under Part 117, required deadhead transportation is duty and is not rest, although its treatment inside an FDP and under a contract requires closer review.
Pilot rest and fatigueHow do pilot reserve and rest rules work together?
Part 117 distinguishes airport/standby reserve, short-call reserve, long-call reserve, and reserve followed by an FDP; the exact limit depends on the sequence.