Cockpit display systems and methods are provided for generating energy management symbology on cockpit displays, which aid pilot decision-making when evaluating and executing direct approaches. In an embodiment, the cockpit display system includes a cockpit display device on which a first cockpit display, such as a vertical situation display or a horizontal navigation display, is generated. A controller is operably coupled to the cockpit display device and configured to: (i) identify a direct approach (DA) path to a configuration point located over a destination airfield; (ii) calculate a first DA energy estimate for the aircraft to fly the DA path under engine idle conditions and arrive at the configuration point with an airspeed less than a configuration airspeed; and (iii) generate symbology on the first cockpit display indicative of the first DA energy estimate.