Departures

Departures refers to the act or process of leaving a place or starting a journey, and it is commonly used to describe the scheduled time at which a vehicle begins its trip. In everyday use, departures denote both the action of leaving and the timing associated with it.

In transport systems, a departure is the moment a vehicle leaves its origin—an airplane from a runway, a train from a platform, or a ship from a berth. Timetables and departure boards display planned departures, with real-time updates for delays or cancellations. The term distinguishes from arrivals, which refer to vehicles reaching a destination.

Procedural aspects include check-in deadlines, security screening, boarding, and gate assignments. Delays, cancellations, or early departures affect passengers and carrier operations, and may lead to rebooking or refunds. In airports, departure lounges and signage assist passengers before departure.

Beyond transportation, departures can refer to individuals leaving jobs, residences, or organizations. A person’s departure from work may be voluntary or forced and is often accompanied by notices, handover processes, and farewell events. In corporate or institutional contexts, departure data is used in human resources and analytics.

Departures also appear in cultural or narrative contexts as motifs indicating change, transition, or the beginning of a journey.