Why plane noises aren’t a sign of danger

In brief

• You’ll hear lots of new or unfamiliar noises when you fly, but these are nothing to worry about
• Understanding what the noises are and what causes them can help to reduce anxiety
• Remind yourself that strange noises don’t mean danger

The noises you’ll hear while flying  

Air travel is full of novel experiences, including a variety of noises. Aircraft noises are completely normal. They’re expected, well understood, and closely linked to how the aircraft is designed to operate. However they can be a cause of anxiety if you don’t know what they are.

The sounds you hear are a sign that the advanced engineering on planes is doing the job it was built to do, safely transporting you to your destination.

Understanding what causes these noises and when they occur can help to reduce in-flight anxiety, so we’re going to walk you through what you’re likely to encounter during each flight. 

Aircraft will make noise, and you will hear it

Modern commercial aircraft are complex machines made up of thousands of parts, systems, and components. 

Some of those essential parts move, adjust, or change during different phases of flight. Things like the landing gear being raised or lowered make noises that you can hear in the cabin.

Cabin walls, floors, and structures are thin (to keep down plane weight) so you’ll find that some noises will always enter the cabin. The noises you hear aren’t a design flaw, but design choices that ensure the plane’s safety, performance, and fuel efficiency.

Here are some of the common noises you’ll hear during flight and when you’ll like to hear them. 

Sometimes knowing what they are can reduce anxiety when you hear them. You can mentally tick them off as you hear them.

Engine noise during takeoff

Takeoff is usually the loudest part of a flight and you’re certain to hear noise inside the cabin. 

As the aircraft gathers speed down the runway, the engines produce a deep and powerful roar as they generate the thrust. The engines need to operate at high thrust to lift the aircraft into the air.

Engines operate safely at these power levels every day and the increase in noise you hear isn’t anything to worry about.

You’ll hear the landing gear retract and secure back into place with a light thump. (See below for more information.)

A few minutes after takeoff, the pilots will reduce thrust. You’ll notice a lowering of noise inside the cabin and you may also feel a slight change in sensation as the engine power is adjusted for cruise.

Whining and humming sounds in flight

If you hear a high-pitched whine or steady humming noise, these are likely to come from things like hydraulic systems, electrical generators and fuel pumps that are operating as you fly. 

You may also hear the airflow over different parts of the aircraft during flight. This can alter the sound you hear in the cabin.

As you flight makes progress, these sounds can change. This can happen if there’s a change in the pitch, intensity, speed, or altitude of your aircraft.

Thuds, clunks, and mechanical bumps

During climb, descent, in turbulence, or approach to your destination, you’re likely to hear firm thuds or clunking sounds from beneath or around the cabin. 

These are associated with the movement of landing gear (up or down) or movement of control surfaces (including the ailerons, flaps and spoilers). These parts are all mechanically operated and actuated, which means noise. 

The landing gear specifically will make a thud as it returns to place after takeoff. This can feel jarring to nervous passengers, but it’s entirely normal.

Clicking, buzzing, and cabin sounds

Inside the cabin you’ll hear a range of sounds, including clicking, buzzing, or faint knocking sounds. These can come from this like air vents, temperature controls and overhead lockers. 

Sometimes a loud click may be another passenger operating a seat mechanism, or putting up or down a table.

Planes operate a variety of systems to make the cabin as comfortable as possible. You’ll find that cabin pressure and airflow are constantly adjusted throughout the flight, which can cause noise. 

While most people won’t notice these noises, if you’re in a heightened state, you might. We recommend packing a pair of noise-cancelling headphones and listening to your favourite music.

How pilots know what’s normal

Pilots are trained and experienced and know how an aircraft should sound and feel in every phase of flight. 

They’re also informed about the performance of every system on the plane, with access to detailed instrumentation that provides constant feedback on engine performance, system health, and aircraft behaviour.

If the pilots notice something out of the ordinary, they’ll act immediately and decisively. In most cases, you’ll never know. They’ll keep flying the plane safely and it’ll be dealt with when you land.

Strange noises don’t mean danger

Anxious flyers can find flying causes an overload of the senses. In an anxious state of mind, you can misinterpret each unfamiliar noise as dangerous. However, the noises you hear are overwhelmingly likely to simply be standard sounds of flight and nothing more.

While such noises might sound dramatic or trick your mind into thinking there’s danger, it’s usually just another sign that everything is working exactly as expected.

If you need more reassurance, visit the Help Desk and download the Calm Flight Toolkit.

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