No matter which airline you’re flying, the experience of boarding a plane and taking off is practically the same for all passengers. This includes not only the things we know to expect (waiting for our boarding group to be called, wrestling with overhead bins, and getting buckled in, to name a few) but also the things we can't quite figure out. Arguably, one of the most confounding mysteries might be the "ding" sound heard frequently throughout the flight. But now, one pilot is revealing exactly what those sounds mean—and the answer might surprise you.
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The first ding is related to takeoff.
There are no shortages of signs, alerts, and passenger announcements during even a routine flight. But in a recent TikTok video, airline pilot @captainsteeeve addressed one question that’s likely on many travelers’ minds about the most mysterious of aviation noises.
“Is that a random ding? Is there a purpose behind that ding? And a little bit later, you hear this: [double ding]. There’s that ding again!” the pilot says rhetorically.
@captainsteeeve Understanding Airplane Dings: What They Really Mean Discover the purpose behind the mysterious dings you hear during flights. Captain Steve explains the significance of these signals, ensuring flight attendants are prepared for departure, service, and landing. Stay informed about your flying experience! #AirplaneDings #FlightSafety #CaptainSteve #InFlightExperience #AviationExplained #TravelTips #PilotInsights #FlyingExperience #AviationSafety #AirlineOperations
For the most part, the simple chime sound seems like it might serve no purpose and is easy to simply ignore. But in reality, @captainsteeeve says this is the cockpit’s way of communicating with flight attendants at three points during the flight.
“The first time is as we’re taxiing out, and you’ll hear the announcement, ‘flight attendants, prepare for departure,’” he explains.
Shortly following that announcement, the airport flight control tower will then clear the pilot for takeoff.
“When I’m cleared to go onto the runway and take off, I turn that ‘no smoking’ sign on and off, and I give them a ding. That’s their final warning: Take a seat, we’re about to take off!” he reveals.
The second ding alerts flight attendants of the next phase of the flight.
Not much later, you’ll likely hear that same chime again. However, it has a slightly different meaning this time.
“As we’re climbing out, and I’m climbing through 10,000 feet, I reach up, and I grab that ‘no smoking’ sign [knob] again,” he explains. “I give them another ding to let them know it’s safe to get up now out of their seat and start their service.”
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The third ding signals you’re about to land.
Even though the captain will likely communicate directly with passengers a few more times throughout the flight, @captainsteeeve says the next time you’ll hear that chime noise won’t be until you’re approaching your destination. Specifically, this happens after the announcement to passengers on the descent that flight attendants should prepare for landing.
“As we’re coming back down through 10,000 feet, I ding them one more time,” he explains. “That way, they know they only have a few minutes left to get everything cleaned up and put away because we’re about to land.”
The takeaway.
Those seemingly random multiple dings you hear over the course of your flight actually serve a purpose, after all. Essentially, they’re the captain’s way of communicating with flight attendants and the cabin crew that the plane is about to take off, that the aircraft has reached an altitude where they can begin service, and finally, to warn them to prepare for landing.
