How Do Pilots Decide When To Divert & Where To Go?

Diversions are rare. A line pilot averages less than one per year, and the flying public might travel a lifetime without ever being part of a diversion. Diversions are always part of the plan but never a desired outcome for an airline. This results in crews and planes being out of position and passengers needing re-accommodation. Diverting costs a lot of money, but pilots and dispatchers do what they can to make the situation financially easy for the airline and streamlined for displaced passengers. Here's an explanation of what pilots think about during diversions.