ETA
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Estimated time of arrival |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Transportation & Travel, Government & Politics, Texting & Internet Slang |
ETA has three meanings. The most common are Estimated time of arrival (aviation) and Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK government); it can also stand for Edited to add.
Meanings of ETA at a glance
| # | ETA stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Estimated time of arrival | Transportation & Travel › Aviation |
| 2 | Electronic Travel Authorisation | Government & Politics › UK Government |
| 3 | Edited to add | Texting & Internet Slang › Social Media |
1. Estimated time of arrival
Transportation & Travel · Aviation Abbreviations · also used in general use
Predicted time at which an aircraft, ship, train, vehicle or parcel will reach its destination. Airlines show ETAs on arrival boards and apps, pilots update them for ATC and dispatch, and the term has spread into everyday speech for anyone's expected arrival.
Example: Captain here: we've picked up a strong tailwind, and our new ETA into Heathrow is 6:40 local time.
Pronounced as letters. On airline displays, arrival normally means reaching the gate (in-blocks), not touchdown, and in flight plans the ETA is given in UTC. Companion terms include ETD, ATA (actual time of arrival) and ETE (estimated time en route). In a text message, "ETA?" simply asks when someone will arrive. Not to be confused with the electronic travel authorizations also called ETAs.
2. Electronic Travel Authorisation
Government & Politics · UK Government Abbreviations
Digital permission required for visitors to the United Kingdom who do not need a visa, such as US, Canadian, Australian and European Union citizens, obtained online before travel. An ETA is linked to the traveler's passport and allows multiple visits for two years.
Example: Apply for your ETA through the official UK app before flying to London.
The scheme was introduced in stages from 2023, extended to most non-European visa-free nationals in January 2025 and to Europeans from April 2, 2025. The fee was 16 pounds from April 2025. Irish citizens are exempt. In general travel usage, ETA means estimated time of arrival.
3. Edited to add
Texting & Internet Slang · Social Media Abbreviations
Marks text added to a post after it was first published, typically answering questions or giving an update, as in "ETA: found my keys, thanks all!" Common on forums, Reddit and Facebook groups.
Example: ETA: the lost dog was found safe this morning, thank you for sharing!
Not to be confused with ETA, "estimated time of arrival," which is the dominant meaning in everyday English. Forum users also write "EDIT:" for the same purpose. Helps readers see what changed after the original post.
Related abbreviations
More aviation abbreviations
- DPE – Designated pilot examiner
- EFB – Electronic flight bag
- EGPWS – Enhanced ground proximity warning system
- ELT – Emergency locator transmitter
- ETD – Estimated time of departure
- ETE – Estimated time en route
- ETOPS – Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards
- eVTOL – Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
See all 142 aviation abbreviations →