https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_pilot I would like to know what decision do the commercial airlines carrier take when there is emergency case of a Pilot who cannot fly the plane because of personal emergency conditions? Emergency conditions could be Pilot falling sick with a medical emergency, Family member, close relative death etc The event has happened just few hours before the final plane departure. Do the Co-pilot fly the plane in that case? Do the specific Airline carriers always have Pilots as reserves ?