Original dispatch or flight release, redispatch or amendment of dispatch or flight release

This regulation governs how Part 121 carriers dispatch flights and make changes while airborne.

Initially, dispatchers may use any authorized airport as a destination. However, once airborne, flights can only continue to their destination if the designated alternate airport's forecast weather meets minimum requirements at the expected arrival time. If conditions deteriorate, dispatchers can amend the release en route to add a different alternate within fuel range.

For ETOPS flights (extended overwater operations), stricter rules apply: flights cannot proceed beyond the ETOPS Entry Point unless all required alternate airports are forecast to meet minimums during the potential diversion window. If weather at an ETOPS alternate deteriorates, dispatchers must add a suitable replacement before continuing.

The regulation also permits changing the destination airport en route (redispatch) if the new airport is authorized for that aircraft type and meets all applicable requirements. All amendments to the dispatch or flight release must be recorded.

*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.*