Airplane noises explained: Every sound and sensation on a plane

Flying is full of new sounds, sensations and movements that an anxious brain can interpret as being dangerous – especially if you’re searching for signs that something is wrong. Commercial air travel is predictable, which means we can prepare for each flight by understanding the sounds, motions and feelings you are likely to experience.

When we fly, we consciously give up control. In this situation, our brains can be on high alert. If you’re afraid of flying, the continual spiking of anxiety at each new sound or sensation may be nothing new. 

But it’s not something you have to sit back and accept.

By understanding what’s happening, you can fight back against feelings of anxiety using rationality to restore a little power. As well as helping you to combat anxiety and increase confidence, we hope this article will also provide some insight into the fascinating world of commercial aviation and the joy of flying.

Understanding why planes make sounds and movements

The experience of flying is full of sights, sounds and sensations that feel new to us. But to pilots, they’re all routine. They become habituated to things like turbulence. Instead of being shocked or concerned by what they’re hearing or feeling, their brains will file these sensations as normal and carry on with whatever they’re doing.

What we need to do is to get to a stage where we, as fearful flyers, can acknowledge what’s happening without it spiking anxiety. That comes through understanding. 

When you’re inside a plane, you’ll hear noises from a range of sources, including announcements from the flight deck and cabin crew, the safe and normal operation of aircraft systems (including hydraulic systems and comfort systems, like air conditioning). 

As the plane takes off, you’ll hear the engines spool up to generate the thrust you need to take off. As you ascend, the noise will change to a low-pitched hum as you enter cruise. You may hear things outside the plane, like wind, rain or hail.

When you land, a reassuring thud means you’ve hit the ground again. This is normally met with the sound of the engines reversing, helping the plane to slow to a stop.

These sounds are nothing new and are normal. Even better, they’re pretty predictable. So let’s work through them in order.

Airplane sounds explained

Before we start, it’s important to point out that it’s impossible to cover absolutely everything, but we’ll do our best to be as comprehensive as possible. We’ve broken this down into five key categories:

1. Ding sound (cabin crew & pilot announcements)
2. Airplane engine sounds
3. Whining and buzzing sounds
4. Thumps before, during and after a flight
5. Sounds during turbulence

Let’s work through the list so you can learn what’s happening and why.

What does the “ding” sound on a plane mean?

The “ding” sound you hear on a plane is an important way for the crew (your pilots up front flying the plane and the crew in the cabin with you) to communicate with one another and with the passengers. 

Here are some of the dings you might here, when they occur and what they mean:

• Double ding while you’re on the ground: This is the crew wanting to talk to one another about some aspect of the flight.
• Single ding while on the ground: This is the flight deck communicating with the crew. This could be to share something about the flight, or make a request from the cabin crew.
• Double ding shortly after takeoff: This is to tell the crew that the plane has cleared 10,000 feet and they can safely start to work
• Double ding on descent: This is to tell the cabin crew you’re 10,000 feet from the ground.

During the flight, you’ll often here dings as the crew communicate with one another. These are routine and can cover everything from a request from the flight deck for some food to them running out of chocolate bars.

One ding that raises the heart rate of fearful flyers is the seatbelt sign. You will hear the chime when the seatbelt sign is switched on and again when it is switched off.

The seatbelt sign will always be illuminated during taxiing and takeoff. It’s at the captain’s discretion when it’s switched on and off. In most cases, the seatbelt sign being switched on will be accompanied by an announcement from the cabin crew, particularly if turbulence is expected up ahead. 

We know that turbulence (expected or experienced) is a trigger for many fearful flyers, which is why we’ve created a large number of guides on what turbulence is, how it’s categorised and why it’s nothing to be afraid of. 

The advice of aviation experts is to always keep your seatbelt on, whether the sign is illuminated or not – and we agree. Staying buckled in is the best way to ensure you’re safe, whatever happens.

Why do airplane engines change sound during flight?

Airplane engines are loud and powerful, providing the thrust needed to lift the aircraft into the sky. Pilots can, and do, use the throttle to adjust the power of the engines. Each time they do so, the sound you hear in the cabin will change. 

Here are some of the times you may here to tone of the engines change:

• Before take off: Pilots may give the engines a short increase in the throttle, known as a “run up”, where they can check the engines are performing before take off.
• On the runway: You’ll hear the engines power up before take off, with the sound rapidly increasing in intensity.
• While climbing: The engines may vary in tone during climb. Pilots may adjust thrust depending on the course, the flight plan, with many having step climbs in place.
• Cruise: Once the plane has reached cruising altitude and levelled off, you’ll hear the engine tone may be lower. This is because the engines are operating efficiently.
• Descent preparation: As you start to descend you’ll likely hear the engines lower in intensity as the plane begins to lose altitude. 
• Preparing to land: The pilots may need to make adjustments as you come into land, which may require a short and controlled burst of thrust. You’re likely to hear this inside the cabin.  

Airplane engines are tested to incredible limits, and often pushed beyond them. Did you know that, while planes have two (or more) engines, they can fly on one? Learn what would happen in the incredibly rare event that your plane loses one or more engines. 

Why do planes make whining or buzzing sounds?

Planes are hugely complicated machines with thousands of components and miles of wiring combining to get you into the air and travelling safely. 

Broadly, you can categorise these under flight controls, engines (covered above) avionics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and environmental controls (including the air conditioning system inside the plane).

We’re going to look at what you might hear from hydraulic systems, electrical components, and flap motors:

Hydraulic systems

Planes use hydraulic systems to power many of the moving parts on an aircraft. Systems powered this way include the landing gear, brakes, spoilers and flight controls. 

Hydraulic noises are usually brief mechanical sounds, including humming, whining or a short “barking” or grinding noise when a system starts to work. You’ll find that these sounds most often occur when the aircraft is taking off or landing (when hydraulic pressure moves the landing gear, operates the spoilers, or applies the brakes)

You can sometimes hear hydraulic systems and pumps operating while you’re on the ground. This is to ensure they remain pressurised so they’re ready to be deployed when necessary.

Electrical components

Electrical systems power lots of things, including the avionics, lighting, cabin systems and many smaller motors throughout the aircraft. 

You’ll find that electrical noises are often higher pitched than the dull hum of the engine. When on a plane, components like transformers, cooling fans and power converters generate a steady background hum. The sound may change as different systems switch on or off during the flight.

Flap motors

If you’ve sat by the wings, you’ll likely have seen the flaps. These movable panels on the wings extend during takeoff and landing to increase lift and drag, helping the aircraft generate extra lift during takeoff and landing. Depending on the plane, they’re moved by electric or hydraulic motors that are connected to mechanical drive systems inside the wing. 

When flaps move, they can produce a mechanical sound. This lasts as long as it takes to extend or retract the flaps. You’ll likely notice noise from flap operation shortly after takeoff or as you come into land. You might also notice other sounds inside the cabin as the shape of the wing changes.

Why do you hear loud thumps during flight?

Hearing a loud thump while you’re inside an aircraft can be scary, but there are usually only a couple of causes – and all of them are predictable. Here are some of the causes of  loud noises when you’re on a plane.

Luggage loading

While you’re on the ground, you’ll likely hear the sound of luggage being loaded into the hold. The length of the disruption will depend on the speed and care taken by airport staff. This part of the process is carefully controlled and choreographed. When all the luggage is loaded, you will hear the cargo doors being secured.

Doors being secured

Once all the passengers are on board, the cabin crew will secure the doors at the front and rear of  the plane. You’ll likely hear a clunk and a click once the doors are secured in place. The cabin crew will also make an announcement to the flight deck to let them know that the doors are secure and the next stage of the flight can progress.

Landing gear retracting

Once the plane is in the air, the pilots will quickly retract the landing gear. The wheels retract into compartments in the aircraft body or wings to provide the most aerodynamic shape. As the landing gear is retracted, you’ll often hear a thumping sound in the cabin.  

Flap movement

The wing flaps are used to change the size and shape of the wing, helping the pilots to control the speed of the aircraft during takeoff and landing. If you have a view of the wings on the plane, you can see how the wing shape is controlled and changed by the pilot. The flaps being operated is often accompanied by an audible sound within the cabin.

Normal airplane movements explained

Flying is a unique sensation that can feel strange. Certain things like banking and turning, turbulence and wing flexing can all result in movement inside the plane that can increase anxiety among people who are nervous flyers. 

While any anxious flyers would welcome a perfectly smooth flight, there will always be some movement on a plane. This should be expected and it’s absolutely normal, especially if you know what’s causing the movement and why it’s nothing to worry about. 

Why do planes tilt or bank when turning?

To change course, planes bank. Pilots use the ailerons on the wings to roll the aircraft left or right with the fin on the rear of the aircraft changing direction. The plane banks over at between 25-30 degrees, to provide a smooth and stable change of direction. 

This movement is completely safe and the plane isn’t going to tip over. However, it can feel disorientating, especially if you can see through both windows. Banking can affect your vestibular system, the system that helps our brains process sensory information and keep your balance. 

The plane may bank once or more on take off and during flight as the pilots find the fastest and safest course to your destination. The banking sensation can feel odd, but it’s over in a few seconds.

Turbulence, chop and wing flexing

Turbulence is one of the biggest triggers for anxiety in nervous flyers. The reality is that turbulence is likely to be a part of every flight. It’s normal, it’s understood and planes are built to withstand it. We’ve written extensively about what turbulence is, how it’s classified and the ways that flight planners and pilots work together to avoid it, if possible. 

Turbulence can be classified into different levels (light, moderate, severe and extreme). Turbulence itself described the vertical movement of the plane. Chop is used to describes small, rapid bumps rather than large vertical movements.

Turbulence can be caused by  several factors, including air currents, thermals, weather and other elements. During turbulence, the plane can move up and down. Most passengers barely register the rises, but are acutely aware of the drops. While these drops can feel exaggerated, in reality the plane may move just a few feet (and certainly much less than the hundreds of metres that many passengers claim).

Planes are designed with flexible wings that enable them to absorb turbulence. The wings are tested to breaking point and beyond during aircraft certification and have proven to withstand forces much greater than you are ever likely to experience in the skies.

The sensations of turbulence are unique to air travel and are something you need to experience to understand. If turbulence is a source of anxiety, you can use practical techniques like grounding, breathing exercises and mindfulness are all effective at reducing anticipatory anxiety and the experience of turbulence while in a plane. 

Physical sensations you may feel inside the plane

The experience of turbulence and the minor disorientation caused by banking and turning are just some of the sensations you might feel. Here are a few of the other physical sensations you might feel, and why they’re nothing to be concerned about.

Why do your ears pop on a plane?

Your ears popping on a plane is a normal response as the pressure in the cabin changes. This can happen during takeoff (as you ascend) and during the approach to landing (descent). As adults, we can find this a little strange and annoying. Babies and younger children might find this a little uncomfortable and distressing. 

If you find your ears popping, you can try yawning or swallowing. Alternatively, you can chew gum, enjoy a boiled sweet or lollipop.

Why does takeoff feel so powerful?

During takeoff, the engines will increase in power and loudness. At a certain point, when the engines are at maximum thrust, the pilot will release the brakes and the plane will begin to make its way down the runway. 

When the plane begins to pick up speed, it can feel like you’re being pushed back into your seat. This is caused by the rapid acceleration required for lift. Once the plane is in the air and the engines reduce in thrust, this feeling will drop.

Why does landing feel like strong braking?

When planes land, they’re travelling at around 150 knots – or around 170 miles per hour. When the plane touches down, the pilots will reverse the engines, using the incredible power to help bring the plane to a stop. 

This can feel quite abrupt (and loud, as the engines roar back into life) but it’s a safe and normal part of every flight. While there’s nothing you can do to stop the feeling, knowing what’s going to occur, when, and why can all help you prepare both physically and mentally.

How aircraft are designed for extreme safety

We’ve explored how unfamiliarity with sights, sounds, and sensations can create fear among some passengers. Knowing what you’re likely to experience on each flight enables you to prepare both mentally and physically.

You should also be reassured that every plane (and pilot) is tested to the highest possible standards. Aircraft stress testing establishes the limits with strict aviation safety standards ensuring your plane is maintained to the highest levels. Every plane has been tested at much higher levels of turbulence than you’ll ever likely experience in the real world. 

During each flight, the crew on the flight deck, those in the cabin and the team on the ground are all there to keep you safe. Air traffic control manages millions of flights each year with pinpoint precision. Aircraft systems are monitored and maintained by a crew of incredibly skilled experts. 

Each pilot is supported on each flight with a clear and accurate plan, weather and turbulence forecasts. In the air, they’re supported by real-time information from other pilots (PIREPs), weather radar and experts on the ground.

Everyone is working toward one goal: a safe and successful flight. You can play your part by sitting back and relaxing, knowing that you’ll soon be landing safely.

Please share this article with anyone who might benefit from it.

FAQs