My Plane Circled Before Landing. Why?
During the approach, planes may circle for a variety of reasons. You may have experienced this during a flight or witnessed it from the window. It’s usually quite smooth and barely perceptible. Don’t be concerned; it’s typical. A runway blockage or severe weather at the airport might prevent landing.
There may even be an air traffic jam, with several planes waiting to land. Even if the circling for a few minutes appears alarming, it is nothing to worry about in this situation. It indicates that the aircraft is waiting for the optimum moment to descend.