Plane sounds explained

A plane makes a lot of noises, and each one has an ordinary reason. Here is what each common sound is, and when you hear it.

Chimes and dings

Crew signals. A double ding around 10,000 feet means the cabin crew may start moving. Single dings call a flight attendant or announce a message.

Climb

The landing gear folding into the aircraft. It sounds heavy because it is metal and hydraulics moving into place. It happens on every flight.

Takeoff

Pilots lower power from takeoff to climb setting, also to reduce noise below. The engines are still working hard. Less push can feel like sinking.

Climb

Flaps and slats moving. They change the shape of the wing so the plane can fly slowly and safely for takeoff and landing.

Descent

The air conditioning and pressurisation systems. The cabin air is refreshed constantly.

Cruise

The cabin is pressurised to about the height of a mountain town and changes gently. Swallow, yawn or chew.

Climb

Wings are made to flex. They are tested to bend far beyond anything that happens in real flight before a plane is allowed to carry anyone.

Cruise

There are no holes in the air. A plane moves with the air around it, and a so-called drop is usually a few feet that feels much bigger.

Cruise

The autothrottle adjusts power to hold speed. A small change in pitch is the system doing its job.

Cruise

Planes tilt gently to turn, the way a bike leans. They are designed to do this, and the seat feels steady the whole time.

Cruise

Hydraulic and fuel pumps running. Every airliner has several, and they are checked before each flight.

Climb

The landing gear coming down. The wheels spin up and the wind noise gets louder because the gear catches the air.

Approach and landing

Reverse thrust and braking slowing the plane. It is loud on purpose and over in seconds.

Approach and landing