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I've been told by my friend (who is on an aviation academy for becoming a pilot), that it's possible to visit the cockpit if you agree with the flight attendants (and of course they ask the pilot).

Is this really possible if the pilot allow you to? Or there is any kind of "law" than forbid this?

As far as I know is not possible for anyone to go into the cockpit during the flight, but after arrive perhaps?

Or if is not forbid by any law, maybe from the airline companies rules?

I'm just curious about how does a cockpit looks like (seeing by my own eyes), but never asked in any of my last flights. Should I?

Hopefully someone has thought the same like me.

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    From back in 2004: airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/…
    – Karlson
    Jun 10, 2015 at 14:12
  • I've read it, but nothing official about if it's possible or not, or if depends of the airline, or even if depend of the country.
    – Nighthunter22
    Jun 10, 2015 at 14:23
  • And all of it is true. There is no law preventing your access to the flight deck not in flight so it's individual policy of an airline or crew.
    – Karlson
    Jun 10, 2015 at 14:27
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    In the US, with US carriers, it is better to do this before the flight takes off, instead of after it lands. Just ask the flight attendant, and he/she will ask the captain or co-pilot. Most of the time they will oblige if there is time. Pilots like to show off.
    – EkoostikMartin
    Jun 10, 2015 at 14:54
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    Related: aviation.stackexchange.com/q/9253/755
    – reirab
    Jun 10, 2015 at 16:59

6 Answers 6

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I don't think there's any law about it on the ground, at least in most countries.

So in that case it is up to the pilots.

If you're flying in Europe on a short haul carrier the turn around time is pretty tight and the pilots will have a lot to do to get ready for their next sector. Also the plane has to be cleaned and so on in about twenty minutes so really they want you off the aircraft ASAP.

But if you just took a flight from London to San Francisco the pilots have a bit of paper work to finish and then they go to the hotel. So on longhaul flights the flight crew are often happy to show you around the cockpit—especially if you have kids. If you travel on BA the pilots sometimes have a kids' pack to give out to kids that they invite to the cockpit. The pilots sign a kind of "log book" for the kids so they can keep track of all the planes they go on. I'm sure other airlines have similar things.

If you are an adult they will also oblige you as well! A friend of mine was allowed to sit in the captain's seat (after landing) recently on London-JFK, and got a nice photo for his Facebook page.

Best is to mention it to the cabin crew when they don't look busy. A polite request such as, "Hi, I wonder if, after landing, we could have a look in the cockpit?" will be sufficient.

Sometimes you will even be invited to access the cockpit in flight, but this is a bit more rare these days. In that case it depends on a lot of factors including the local law (of the aircraft registration country, country of departure and country of arrival) and how strictly it is applied.

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    Nice to read, now i'll try my luck and see if they let me visit the cockpit after the flight.
    – Nighthunter22
    Jun 10, 2015 at 14:35
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For the airline I work for rules simply say "passengers are not allowed to enter the cockpit at all times" and this is the rules for most (if not all) airlines, but out of personal experience as a cabin crew member this is not something unusual to happen after landings, especially for younger ones. After all the captain is in charge and can break the rules.

Anyway, keep in mind the following if you are to ask for the same:

  • NEVER ask during the flight, or before departure. A simple misunderstanding by the crew can lead to bad situations.
  • Ask the crew after landing, it is better to ask the cabin in charge (purser) while you leaving, they are always positioned at the forward part of the plane and usually next to the forward most deplaning door.
  • If you are seated in a seat with a good view of the cockpit door, do not deplane and wait until you spot one of the pilots getting ready to leave the plane, then move. Approach with a smile and ask if it's possible to take a photo inside the cockpit. Sometimes cabin crew tells you it is not allowed without asking the pilots.
  • If you get a no as an answer, say thank you and leave. Do not argue.

For those who wonder what might be the risk of letting someone enters the cockpit after landing? well, people can always put "something" there. So, if you were allowed by the pilots to take a photo inside, do not expect to spend time there, it will be just a quick photo with the presence of the pilot(s).

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  • Thanks! I'll make sure to follow all your advices. Also, if i'm accepted to have a picture inside the cockpit, is it wise to do it pretending that im "piloting", just like sitting in their seat? (but not touching anything of course). Or should I just conform with a "selfie" or in my case a normal picture of the cockpit view?
    – Nighthunter22
    Jun 10, 2015 at 17:33
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    @Nighhunter22 ask the pilots, it depends on them..
    – Nean Der Thal
    Jun 10, 2015 at 17:35
  • An excellent INFORMED answer!
    – Fattie
    Dec 16, 2015 at 17:43
  • No more than three years ago, I was waiting with one of my sons, then about 9, at the forward lavatory of a Q400 on a Canadian carrier, during a 30-minute layover. The cockpit door was open and the pilots were doing paperwork and the two of us were gawking in. The captain saw us, invited us in, put my son in his seat and put his cap on him. And cheerfully let me take a photo when I asked. So...yep, they can if they want to.
    – CCTO
    May 7, 2019 at 19:36
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I am young - but my body is rather old. I still find it interesting to look at and take photos of cockpits (and just about everything else).

As I invariably travel cattle-class I often get to the exit near the cockpit too late, but when circumstances allow, after the flight, I occasionally ask if I may visit the cockpit. I've done this maybe 5 to 10 times in recent years & I have been permitted to on all occasions bar one (and I think that that was not the pilot's decision). Once there I ask if I may take photos and on every occasion I have been allowed to.

Crew sometimes pose in their seats for the photos and sometimes move aside leaving a person free view.

Flights have been either NZ-Australia, NZ-Asia or (less common) Asia internal. Airlines have been a cross section of those who fly those routes.

When any of the photos surface I'll post one or two here.

4 years later (August 2015) - here's one from my wanderings.
Not marvellous as photos go, but the fun of the moment is the point. I imagine they are not too keen to be posed and arranged etc.

enter image description here

The one below is not one of mine, alas :-) - this is a view in and from "White Knight".
Larger version here - click once to enlarge after loading.

enter image description here

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  • Could you post a large photo please? This one looks like a military flight :)
    – AKS
    Jun 11, 2015 at 18:00
  • @AyeshK - As noted "not one of mine" - sadly. Look up "White Knight" in google images. Hmmm -= add "fly" as well - Like this :-)
    – Russell McMahon
    Jun 11, 2015 at 18:34
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There is no law that forbids you access to the flight deck in the US or most elsewhere in the world after the flight is completed. The only thing that prohibits you from doing so is policies of individual companies or the decision by the Flight Attendants or Flight Crew.

There are many questions on the interwebs related to the subject but the most recent one I was able to find as a reference:

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I was young and in flight my father asked the flight attendants if I could see the cabin. I got inside and one pilot even let me control the plane with a lever or something and it bumped a little. I was like 6 years old and it was a really cool experience. So it depends mostly on how friendly pilots and flight attendats are. Just ask them.

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    When did this take palce?
    – Karlson
    Jun 11, 2015 at 2:16
  • Before 9-11, I am sure.
    – Willeke ♦
    Aug 4, 2015 at 18:45
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I was twelve when this happened, but our plane SYD-PER was delayed getting to the gate, so i started talking to the pilot. He was very nice and we were just talking about the best and cheapest way to get a pilot license, when the plane came in. As i said goodbye so the pilots could board, he turned around and said, "If you stay last on the plane, you can come up and see us in the cockpit. The flight attendant came and got us, and i got to take some photos and have a look around, including sitting in the seat of the pilot. I never asked, but being polite can get you places.

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