When does sterile flight deck end before landing?

The sterile flight deck is a critical period during which non-essential activities in the cockpit and cabin are minimized to ensure that the flight crew can focus on the tasks at hand, particularly during critical phases of flight. The sterile flight deck typically ends when the flight crew determines the safest moment to resume communication and activities that do not directly pertain to the operation of the aircraft.

In this context, the sterile flight deck formally ends when the seatbelt sign is turned off, which indicates that the flight crew has reached a safe altitude where passengers can safely move about the cabin. This allows crew members to begin preparations for landing and engage with passengers without the heightened alert status required during the flight's critical phases.

While other altitude thresholds are important for different aspects of flight, the transition point for resuming cabin activity in conjunction with the seatbelt sign’s status is essential. Hence, the end of the sterile flight deck is directly correlated with the signaling readiness for passenger movement and preparation for arrival, which aligns with when the seatbelt sign is switched off.