---
title: "What are the general right-of-way rules between different categories of aircraft in flight? Answer in under 100 words."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/aviation/general-right-of-way-rules-between-different-categories-aircraft-flight-answer
jurisdiction: "US Federal · FAA · 14 CFR Part 91 (Right-of-Way Rules)"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What are the general right-of-way rules between different categories of aircraft in flight? Answer in under 100 words.

Under 14 CFR § 91.113(d), as amended through November 21, 2024, when different categories of aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude, a balloon has right-of-way over any other category, a glider has right-of-way over powered aircraft, and an airship has right-of-way over all other powered aircraft except one that is towing or refueling other aircraft—which itself has right-of-way over all other powered aircraft. When categories are identical, the aircraft to the other's right yields. An aircraft in distress holds right-of-way over all other air traffic.

## Details / How it works

§ 91.113(b) requires each person operating an aircraft—whether flying under IFR or VFR—to maintain vigilance to **see and avoid** other aircraft whenever weather permits; when another aircraft has right-of-way, the pilot must give way and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.

For **same-category converging** traffic at approximately the same altitude (not head-on), the aircraft to the other's right has right-of-way.

In a **head-on** encounter, each pilot alters course to the right. When **overtaking**, the aircraft approached from behind within 70 degrees of its heading has right-of-way, and the overtaking pilot must alter course to the right to pass well clear.

On **landing**, an aircraft on final approach or landing has right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or on the surface; among two or more aircraft approaching an airport, the lower-altitude aircraft has right-of-way.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Converging priority (different categories) | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| 1 (highest) | Balloon |
| Over any powered aircraft | Glider |
| Over powered aircraft except towing/refueling | Airship |
| Over all other powered aircraft | Aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft |

| Threshold | Value |
|---|---|
| Overtaking zone | Approached from behind within 70° of the overtaken aircraft's heading |
| Latest amendment cited | Amdt. 91-379, effective Nov. 21, 2024 |

## Exceptions & edge cases

- **Water operations**: § 91.113 does not apply to operation of an aircraft on water; seaplane and amphibious aircraft operations on water are governed by separate maritime rules such as COLREGS.
- **Distress override**: An aircraft experiencing an emergency, mechanical failure, or other urgent situation has right-of-way over *all* other air traffic, superseding the category hierarchy.
- **Landing limits**: An aircraft on final approach may not use its priority to force an already-landed aircraft off the runway, nor may the lower-altitude aircraft cut in front of or overtake an aircraft established on final approach.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 14 CFR 91.113 — Right-of-way rules: Except water operations · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-91.113 · as of 2026-08-26