Aviation analysts note that airlines in the United Arab Emirates and globally employ additional pilots for long-haul flights exceeding eight to ten hours, as well as when pilots travel to another city. Such extra crews are not used on short routes.
The issue became relevant following the incident involving flydubai flight FZ 1073, which flew a Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30th and was forced to land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The airline reported that the cause of the diversion was an in-cockpit argument, and that an unregistered flydubai crew member on board ensured the safety of the aircraft.
According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft lost more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before landing safely. Saudi Arabian authorities reported that the captain and first officer were injured and taken to the hospital. The UAE Public Prosecutor ordered an investigation, and flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel.
Saj Ahmad, a lead analyst at the London-based company StrategicAero Research, explained that UAE airlines are not obligated to have an extra pair of pilots on every flight, and that carriers in the UAE and the wider Persian Gulf region have not implemented this practice since the start of the war between the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28th.
On Friday, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and flydubai CEO Ghayg Al Ghait praised the exceptional bravery and quick response of Indian pilot Captain Smith Mathchar of Flydubai flight 'FZ1073', as well as the passengers who helped control the situation.
The authority confirmed in a statement that their prompt and decisive intervention, along with a sense of responsibility, contributed to containing the situation and preventing more serious consequences, reflecting the level of readiness, cooperation, and overall responsibility when facing emergencies.
Ahmad added that UAE regulations set limits on working hours, rest, and fatigue management for pilots. These standards determine the required number of pilots in the schedule but do not mandate a second pair on every flight. He emphasized: 'The decision is regulatory, mathematical, and operational—not discretionary.'
Airlines account for the entire operational period, including reporting time (usually 60–90 minutes before departure), flight time, post-flight duties, delays, and buffers for unforeseen circumstances, as well as time zone changes. If the total duration exceeds the permitted flight time for two pilots, a third must be added; if it exceeds the limit for three pilots, a fourth is necessary.
In Ahmad's view, assigning additional pilots to flights places a significant burden on airlines, as they receive high salaries, and the industry is already struggling with staffing. Therefore, having an extra crew that is technically idle is inefficient on short routes.
Modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 777, 777X, and 787, as well as the Airbus A350, are capable of performing ultra-long-haul routes, while narrow-body jets like the 737 MAX and A320neo can also operate on medium and long-haul routes. When necessary, airlines can deploy additional personnel so that pilots do not become exhausted or exceed permitted flight hours.
'Having an additional crew on these long routes provides a safety net for both the crew and the passengers,' he noted. There are hundreds of routes lasting over 12 hours. Among the longest are New York (JFK) – Singapore, Singapore – New York (JFK), Auckland – Doha, Melbourne – Dallas-Fort Worth, and Perth – London Heathrow.
Additional pilots may be in the cockpit or more often use crew rest areas. On long-haul routes with a limited number of passengers, some airlines reserve seats for pilots. Ahmad cited two instances from 2026 where a pilot became incapacitated during a flight. On a Delta flight from Los Angeles to Boston, the captain fell ill during the cruise, and another pilot took over control, diverting the aircraft to Detroit. On a Tarom Boeing 737 flight from Amsterdam to Bucharest, the second pilot lost consciousness at an altitude of 35,000 feet, and the captain managed to fly independently to the diversion point in Bucharest.