Sounds you hear on a plane

Recognising a sound makes it ordinary. Here are the sounds you may hear during a flight, in order.

At the gate

• Hum and fan noise: the aircraft's own small engine (the APU) supplies power and air.
• A short sound like barking: on the Airbus A320 family, a pump that balances the hydraulic systems. Completely normal.
• Lights flicker for a moment: power switches from the ground supply to the aircraft's own system.

Takeoff

• Engines rising in pitch: full power on the runway; that's where the push into your seat comes from.
• Thumping wheels: rolling over the runway lights; it stops when you lift off.
• A “thunk” and a hum: right after takeoff, the landing gear folds away and its doors close.
• Engines getting quieter: a few minutes in, pilots reduce power to the climb setting. That “did we slow down?” feeling comes from this; the aircraft keeps climbing.
• A whine from the wing: the flaps retracting.

Cruise

• A steady rush: air flowing over the fuselage. This is usually the quietest, calmest part.
• “Ding” sounds: the seatbelt sign switching, or pilots and cabin crew calling each other. Routine communication.

Descent and landing

• Ears popping: cabin pressure changes slowly; swallowing or yawning helps.
• A light rumbling hum: the speed brakes (spoilers) on the wings rise to manage speed on the way down.
• Whine and a “thunk”: flaps extend and the landing gear comes down. Ordinary steps of getting ready to land.
• A roar after touchdown: the engines' reverse thrust slows the aircraft; the sound fades after a few seconds.

In SafeSkies' cabin sounds section you can listen to real recordings of these sounds before you fly, and hear them all in order in the virtual flight.