What Is ETA? Definition & Meaning in Aviation
ETA (estimated time of arrival) is the time a flight is currently expected to arrive.
In plain language
Unlike the scheduled time, the ETA is updated during the flight as speed, wind and air traffic change. It can move earlier or later by minutes.
Example
A flight scheduled to land at 18:00 might show an ETA of 17:45 with a strong tailwind, or 18:20 if it is held for traffic.
Why it matters
The ETA is the number you actually plan around, whether you are catching a connection or collecting a relative. Because it changes during the flight, check it again as landing approaches rather than relying on the first figure.