Block Time

Definition

The scheduled elapsed time from the moment an aircraft pushes back from the departure gate (chocks away) to the moment it arrives at the destination gate (chocks in). Block time includes taxi-out, takeoff, en-route flight, approach, landing, and taxi-in. In OBC logistics, block time is a key planning factor — it determines the minimum flight duration and, combined with connection time and ground handling, the total door-to-door transit estimate. Airlines publish block times for each route, which vary by direction due to jet stream effects.