Responsibility for operational control: Domestic operations

This regulation establishes the chain of responsibility for Part 121 domestic airline operations. The certificate holder (airline) bears ultimate responsibility for operational control, but specific duties are divided between pilots and dispatchers.

Before flight, the pilot in command and dispatcher share joint responsibility for flight planning, managing delays, and releasing the flight according to regulations and the airline's operations specifications.

During flight, the dispatcher monitors progress, provides safety information, and can cancel or redirect the flight if safety concerns arise—either on their own judgment or at the pilot's request.

The pilot in command holds final authority during flight time. They're responsible for the safety of everyone and everything aboard, and have complete control over all crewmembers and their duties, regardless of whether the pilot holds the certificates for those crew positions. This means the captain's decisions override all others when the aircraft is operating.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*