The sterile cockpit rule and why pilots eat different meals

The sterile cockpit rule is a US regulation, introduced by the FAA in 1981, that restricts pilots to safety-essential duties during critical phases of flight. The claim about meals is largely true, but it is a company practice rather than a federal rule. Most airlines expect the two pilots to eat different meals, so that food poisoning is unlikely to disable both at once. The two ideas are separate, though they touch on one point: eating is one of the activities the sterile cockpit rule keeps out of the busiest parts of a flight. [1] [2]

The FAA enacted FAR 121.542 and FAR 135.100 in 1981 after reviewing a series of accidents caused by crews distracted by non-essential conversation and activity during critical parts of flight. The rule bars crew from performing duties during a critical phase of flight other than those required for safe operation. It also bars any activity that could distract a crew member. The text names eating meals, non-essential conversation, non-essential cabin-to-cockpit communication, and reading unrelated material as examples. See [asrs.arc.nasa.gov](https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/publications/directline/dl4%5Fsterile.htm) and [skybrary.aero](https://skybrary.aero/articles/sterile-flight-deck). [3] [1]

The rule defines the critical phase as all ground operations involving taxi, takeoff and landing, plus all other flight operations below 10,000 feet, except cruise flight. Cruise is excluded, which is why meals are usually taken at altitude. [3]

The International Civil Aviation Organization defines a sterile flight deck as any period when the crew should not be disturbed except for matters critical to safe operation. In Europe, EASA describes similar procedures, published in Regulation (EU) 2015/140, covering take-off, landing, taxiing and flight below 10,000 feet except cruise. SKYbrary adds that many operators apply similar rules voluntarily, and some define the sterile zone differently, for example from the surface to 18,000 feet. See [easa.europa.eu](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/faq/19134) and [skybrary.aero](https://skybrary.aero/articles/sterile-flight-deck). [4] [1]

Yes, as standard practice. Skywest captain Adam Cohen told Travel + Leisure that the aim is that if one meal is compromised, only one pilot is affected and the other can continue safely. The FAA has no regulation requiring this, but most airlines have rules against pilots eating the same meal as each other before and during a flight. See [travelandleisure.com](https://www.travelandleisure.com/why-do-pilots-eat-different-meals-on-flights-11789147) and [rd.com](https://www.rd.com/article/do-airplane-pilots-eat-different-meals/). [2] [5]

The practice is not absolute. Virgin Atlantic says the captain is responsible for ensuring that, wherever possible, the operating pilots eat different meals. If both request the same one, cabin crew refer it to the captain, who approves or denies it. Pilots at the controls should also eat at different times. British Airways describes the same policy. Former pilot Dan Bubb says the rule applies on flights of any length, and that on short flights without meal service pilots often bring their own food. [6] [5]