This article explains when IFR flight plans can be filed, canceled, or amended with ForeFlight. Different rules apply per region. Refer to the region from which your flight is departing for additional information.
Filing IFR Flight Plans
All IFR flight plans can be filed up to 28 days in advance. When filed in advance, flight plans are stored on ForeFlight's servers and transmitted to ATC once the flight plan acceptance time has been reached. Flight plan acceptance times are specified by ATC and can vary by region.
The United States and Canada
In the United States and Canada, IFR flight plans are accepted by ATC up to 22 hours before the proposed departure time. Flight plans filed less than 22 hours before the proposed departure time are sent to ATC immediately.
Europe
EUROCONTROL accepts IFR, YFR, and ZFR flight plans 120 hours in advance of the Estimated Off-Block Time (EOBT). Flight plans filed less than 120 hours before EOBT are sent to ATC immediately.
Canceling and Amending Flight Plans
Once ATC has received a flight plan, it can be canceled or amended up to the flight plan's lock-out period.
IMPORTANT: ForeFlight Mobile cannot be used to cancel an IFR flight plan when operating at an uncontrolled airport. The option to cancel a flight in ForeFlight Mobile only changes the filing status of the plan from Filed to Canceled.
The United States and Canada
The lock-out period is approximately 45 minutes before the proposed departure time. See the tables below for specific times per Flight Information Region (FIR).
Once inside the lock-out window, manual coordination (over the phone or radio) is required to amend or cancel the flight plan (exceptions apply).
Amending certain flight plan fields can result in a new flight plan being filed. As a result, these fields can be amended at any time (including after the lock-out). Those fields include:
- Aircraft
- Call Sign
- Departure Airport
- Destination Airport
- Departure Time
NOTE: Nav Canada flights can only be amended after the lock-out period if they depart from the United States.
FAA lock-out times
Nav Canada lock-out times
Europe
EUROCONTROL allows IFR, YFR, and ZFR flight plans to be amended or canceled up to 2 hours before the Estimated Off-Block Time (“EOBT”). Between 2 hours prior to EOBT and EOBT, the flight plan may be changed. However, the flight plan will be labeled as a "Late Updater" by EUROCONTROL. If the flight plan is labeled as a "Late Updater," there may be negative consequences if the airport begins issuing CTOTs. If you have not departed 30 minutes after your EOBT, an FLS (Flight Suspension) will be given. We do not recommend amending to change routing or significantly changing any part of the flight plan, as this can lead to a higher probability of reaching a rejection.
Last Updated: