What does the estimated time of arrival (ETA) indicate for a flight?

The estimated time of arrival (ETA) is crucial for both airlines and passengers as it provides an anticipated time for when a flight is expected to land at its designated airport. This metric helps in managing flight operations and informing passengers, allowing for better planning upon arrival. It reflects various factors such as flight duration, speed, and any adjustments due to weather or air traffic control that might affect landing times. Knowing the ETA can greatly assist in connecting flights and ground transportation plans, making it an essential component of air travel logistics.

Other choices focus on aspects of travel that are either related to pre-flight procedures or do not specifically denote the point of landing, which solidifies why the correct answer centers on the anticipated landing time.