What Is in an ICAO Flight Plan? Every Item Explained

The ICAO flight plan is the standard form pilots and operators use to tell air traffic services about a flight. It is filled in as numbered items, and the message version starts with (FPL.

The items

• Item 7: aircraft identification, the callsign or registration.
• Item 8: flight rules (I, V, Y or Z) and type of flight (S scheduled, N non-scheduled, G general aviation, M military, X other).
• Item 9: aircraft type designator and wake turbulence category (L, M, H or J).
• Item 10: radio, navigation and surveillance equipment.
• Item 13: departure aerodrome and estimated off-block time (EOBT) in UTC.
• Item 15: cruising speed, cruising level and route.
• Item 16: destination aerodrome, total estimated elapsed time, and alternate aerodromes.
• Item 18: other information, such as PBN/ capabilities, DOF/ date of flight and REG/ registration.
• Item 19: supplementary information, such as endurance, persons on board and emergency equipment.

Worked example

(FPL-ABC123-IN
-A320/M-SDE3FGHIRWY/LB1
-OPKC0800
-N0450F350 DCT 25N063E DCT 25N059E
-OMDB0137 OMSJ
-PBN/A1B1C1D1L1O1S2 DOF/261016)

ABC123 flies IFR (I) as a non-scheduled flight (N). The aircraft is an A320 of medium wake category. It leaves Karachi (OPKC) at 08:00 UTC at 450 knots (N0450) at flight level 350 (F350), going direct through two latitude and longitude points. The elapsed time to Dubai (OMDB) is 1 hour 37 minutes, with Sharjah (OMSJ) as the alternate. DOF/261016 is the date of flight, 16 October 2026.

Filing

Flight plans are filed with the air traffic services reporting office or through an approved system, within the time your State's rules require. The generator on this site produces a draft for training. Check the equipment and PBN codes against your own aircraft and operator approvals.

Open the flight plan generator

FAQ

What does DCT mean in a route?

Direct. It tells air traffic control that the aircraft will fly straight from one point to the next, not along an airway.

What is EOBT?

Estimated off-block time: when the aircraft is expected to start moving for departure, in UTC.

More guides

• How to Calculate Crosswind and Headwind Components
• How to Read a METAR: A Plain-English Guide
• How to Read a TAF: Airport Forecasts Explained
• The Wind Triangle Explained: Heading, Ground Speed and Drift
• FAA Part 117 Explained: Flight Time, Duty Period and Rest
• Flight Fuel Planning Explained: Trip, Contingency, Alternate and Reserve
• Density Altitude Explained: How Heat and Height Cut Performance
• How to File a Flight Plan: Steps for Pilots and Dispatchers
• How to Read a NOTAM: ICAO Format Explained

For training and reference only. Check official sources before any real flight.