ETA — Estimated Time of Arrival

ETA — Estimated Time of Arrival

ETA is the arrival equivalent of ETD. It is a continuously updated estimate used by airport operations, ground handlers, connecting passenger management teams and passengers awaiting arrivals.

Arrival Time Sequence

Key arrival time codes:

Operational Impact of ETA

ETA affects: baggage claim belt assignment and activation timing, ground handling resource scheduling (steps, buses, cleaning), connecting passenger management — is there time to make the connection?, arrivals FIDS display and gate change management.

ETA Data Sources

ETA is initially calculated from the filed flight plan. Once airborne, it is updated from ATC radar data and ACARS position reports. Modern flight tracking services (Flightradar24, Cirium, OAG) provide ETA estimates to airports, airlines and third-party systems.