# What Happens During Taxiing

> Before takeoff and after landing, airplanes spend time moving on the ground.

- Published: 2026-01-15T09:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-15T20:04:19Z
- Category: Aviation Basics
- Canonical page: [https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/what-happens-during-taxiing](https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/what-happens-during-taxiing)

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Before takeoff and after landing, airplanes spend time moving on the ground.

This phase is called **taxiing**, and it is a controlled part of the flight, not just waiting around.

## 🛣 1. Taxiing Means Moving Between Runway and Gate

Taxiing happens when the aircraft moves along taxiways instead of the runway.

This can include:

- leaving the gate
- heading toward the runway
- leaving the runway after landing
- moving to the parking stand

👉 It is the airplane's ground journey around the airport.

## ✈️ 2. The Aircraft Uses Engine Power Carefully

During taxi, the engines usually run at low power.

The plane moves slowly because:

- airports are busy
- turns can be tight
- other aircraft and vehicles may be nearby

Pilots carefully control speed using thrust, brakes, and steering.

## 🧭 3. Pilots Follow Ground Instructions

Air traffic control does not only manage planes in the sky.

On the ground, pilots also receive instructions about:

- which taxiway to use
- when to stop
- when to cross a runway

This keeps traffic organized and safe.

## 👀 4. There Is a Lot to Watch During Taxi

Taxiing may look simple from the cabin, but pilots are busy.

They monitor:

- route signs and markings
- other aircraft
- ground vehicles
- aircraft systems before takeoff

Taxi is a working phase, not a break.

## ✨ What It Means

Taxiing helps connect the flight safely from gate to runway and back again.

It may feel slow, but it is:

- carefully controlled
- highly procedural
- important for safety

## 💡 Simple Way to Think About It

Taxiing is like:
> the airplane driving through the airport's road system...  
> before or after flying.

## 🟢 Quick Fact

At large airports, taxiing can sometimes take longer than passengers expect because the ground traffic system can be very busy.

Taxiing may not feel dramatic -  
but it is an important part of every flight from start to finish.

## Related Learn articles
- [What Happens During Takeoff](https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/what-happens-during-takeoff/index.md)
- [What Happens During Landing](https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/what-happens-during-landing/index.md)
- [Why Planes Stay in the Air](https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/why-planes-stay-in-the-air/index.md)
- [Why Your Ears Pop on a Flight](https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/why-your-ears-pop/index.md)
- [Why the Sky Looks Different from Above](https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/why-the-sky-looks-different-from-above/index.md)
- [How High Commercial Planes Fly](https://flymap.app/learn/aviation-basics/how-high-commercial-planes-fly/index.md)