Flight Hours, Duty Limits & Regulations

Being a short haul pilot isn’t just about hopping across Europe and racking up Instagrammable destinations. It’s a job regulated by strict rules set by authorities like EASA and the CAA to ensure safety, consistency, and rest.

Let’s start with the top-line legal limits:

900 flying hours per year

100 flying hours in any 28-day period

Before COVID, airlines typically rostered around 650–700 flight hours per year. Since the pandemic, some now aim for 800–850 hours annually — pushing close to the legal maximums. And while those numbers might not seem high, remember: not all our time is spent flying.

We also have to:

• Brief and prepare before each flight
• Debrief afterward
• Handle turnarounds and delays
• Sit on standby

So we have duty limits too:

2,000 hours of duty in 12 months

190 hours in any 28-day period

60 hours in 7 consecutive days

Our daily duty hours can range from 10 to 13 hours, depending on start time and number of sectors. If needed, and conditions are right - the captain has the authority to extend the duty by up to 2 hours to get the flight home. But this comes with strict caveats and fatigue risk assessments.

Roster Patterns: Fixed vs. Flexible

Most UK airlines offer two types of rosters to attract a wide range of pilots:

Flexible Roster

Guaranteed minimum 10 days off per month

Random distribution: 2 days off, 1 on, 3 on, 2 off, etc.

Great for pilots who prefer variety

Fixed Roster (5/4/5/3 pattern)

5 days on → 4 days off → 5 days on → 3 days off

Predictable and easier to plan your life

Pilots can usually bid for their preferred pattern, flights, days off, or early/late duties. It doesn’t guarantee results, but improves your chances of aligning the job with your lifestyle.

What a Week Actually Looks Like

Here’s a typical short haul roster:

Early Block

Day 1: London → Thessaloniki → London | 06:10 – 16:00

Day 2: London → Dubrovnik → London | 05:20 – 13:30

Day 3: London → Dubrovnik → London | 06:10 – 14:00

Day 4: London → Alicante → London | 05:40 – 13:30

Day 5: London → Malta → London | 05:40 – 15:00

Followed by 3 days off.

Late Block

Day 1: London → Turin → London | 16:05 – 22:30

Day 2: London → Alicante → London | 16:35 – 00:30

Day 3: London → Bordeaux → London | 18:25 – 00:15

Day 4: London → Ibiza → London | 18:35 – 02:30

Day 5: London → Turin → London | 16:20 – 22:45

Then 4 days off before the cycle repeats.

Standbys: Always Ready

Standbys are part of the game too:

Home Standby: Stay ready at home, airport-ready within 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Airport Standby: Sit at the airport ready to cover any last-minute gaps.

How Much Free Time Do You Get?

You get more than you might think. Pilots usually receive 28 days of annual leave, plus additional "wraparound" days that extend time off. For example:

3 days off → 5 days of leave → 4 days off = 12 days off using just 5 leave days

You’re also entitled to things like parental, paternity, compassionate, unpaid, and dependency leave - depending on your contract and company.

And even when working, you’re not always flying. Some duties involve short sit times, training, or admin days. It’s demanding, but there’s downtime. Being on standby and not getting called for a duty can also feel like a free unplanned day off!

Need to make the most of your time off? Fuel up with our 747 Roast and enjoy your own version of a captain’s day off.

Have the glamorous days gone?

When you’re on duty, especially on early blocks or late finishes, the work can be physically and mentally draining. It’s not just the long days - it’s the altitude, irregular meals, cabin pressure, and broken circadian rhythms.

Studies have shown that:

Short haul pilots are at higher risk of fatigue-related performance decline

There are associations between shift work and reduced life expectancy (Read from Balpa)

Sleep disruption and chronic fatigue can lead to long-term health effects

You need to rest properly on days off — not just log out, but truly recover.

From personal experience, I've worked in supermarkets, run businesses, and nothing drains you quite like the flight deck. Even on shorter days, I need to take my recovery and downtime seriously.

That’s why our Jumbo Jet Espresso exists - for those 05:00 briefings and post-trip slumps when only great coffee will do.

My Take on the Lifestyle

Yes, the hours are unsociable. You work weekends, bank holidays, birthdays. But what you get in return is:

More total days off than most jobs

Time off when the rest of the world is quiet

Generous amount of leave to go on holiday and use staff travel to explore the world cheaply. (one of the best perks)

Eventually, you learn to love going to Sainsbury’s on a Tuesday morning when no one else is around. You adapt. And if you like a balance of structure and freedom, it really works.

Being a short haul pilot is a lifestyle, not just a job. It’s intense, rewarding, sometimes exhausting, and always interesting. If you fuel it right, with good rest and great coffee, it’s one of the best careers in the world.


Nathan Raab
Airline Pilot | Better Coffee Advocate | Jet Bean Founder