While some people see flying as a pre-holiday routine, others consider it the first part of their break.
Airplane fanatics can make all their friends jealous if they are lucky enough to be in the cockpit before flying.
While this is never guaranteed and is at the discretion of the pilot and flight crew, in some cases a cockpit visit is more likely.
Answering a Traveler’s Question Quora community sitepilot Tim Hibbets explained: “You can ask pilots from almost any US airline to come and visit, and they will be happy to show you the buttons and knobs, indicators and switches.
“This is our passion, we love it. We like it when others like it. This is the best job in the world, and while we have time, we will show you what’s going on.”
Tim went on to explain cases where it is not possible to have a unique cockpit tour.
He explained, “Sometimes the schedules are so tight that we can’t show off one of our biggest favorites.
“But if you come early, chances are we can spare a couple of minutes.
The Sun previously spoke to pilot Vicki McCarthy for her opinion on people visiting the cockpit before or after flights.
She said: “Many people are afraid that they cannot enter, but if you want, just ask.
“If there are too many people, the flight attendants will just tell you - there’s nothing wrong with asking.”
Vicki added: “Pilots will be more than happy to answer any questions…
“If your plane is delayed on the runway, then this is the perfect time.”
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Last month, a woman was stunned to learn that she was the only passenger on her flight.
In a rare opportunity that will make avid aviation enthusiasts turn green with envy, she was allowed to fly in the cockpit most of the way.
Aurora Torres flew from Røros in Norway with Widerøe to photograph the wedding.
However, she quickly realized that she was the only person on the 50-minute flight other than the crew.
She posted a video of her Instagram An account that showed a completely empty flight with no one else on it.
Those lucky enough to take the rare cockpit tour should look out for a new button that means even a passenger can land the plane.
Garmin International Inc. is launching an innovative new Autoland system that is set to revolutionize the world of aviation.
To activate the system, it is enough for someone to press a special button in the cockpit - and it can be a pilot or a passenger.
Garmin says the new system will be able to “fly and land an aircraft without human intervention” in almost any situation, but should only be used in emergencies, such as when the pilot becomes unconscious or falls ill.
Once activated, the system will calculate the best airport within 200 nautical miles and automatically fly to it.
In March, one lucky passenger shared why it’s good to be the last person to get off the plane.
Reddit user u/ailsb went to the community site to explain what happened to her when she was the last to go ashore.
She shared a photo of herself sitting in the cockpit of the plane, which she was allowed to enter as she was the only person left on board.
She wrote: “I got off the plane last. I asked if I could take a photo of the cockpit and the pilots offered me to sit in a chair and take a photo of me!
“I was so happy I cried afterwards lol.”