Last Updated on January 7, 2021
Mayday
©Science ABC
Mayday is probably the most famous code among travelers and people in general. It is used by pilots and ship captains to send a distress message that there is a life-threatening situation taking place. There are also some firefighters, policemen and other institutions that use it.
The code is repeated three times in order to ensure conveying the message properly to the other side. The source of this code is the French expression. Venez m’aider! : come and help me.
Pan-pan
©Upper Limit Aviation
This is a distress signal that is used by planes and ships to indicate that there is a non-life-threatening situation that needs intervention.
It is also sourced from the French language: the word panne in French means a breakdown. However, don’t panic if you are on a long-haul flight or cruise ship and you hear this code, because it is a less serious one.
Code red
©Travelup
You are traveling for a vacation or business, so you contacted your online travel agent, got your seat booked, and got ready for an easy air travel experience, but you suddenly hear the phrase ‘code red.’
This is a situation that we wouldn’t hope you get into. This code is stated in the most crucial and extreme situations on the airplane. Usually, this situation is caused by serious technical difficulties or an emergency landing.
The number of sounds
©Fast Company
Codes do not always contain words; they may also have audible notifications. When passengers need to ask for flight attendants services, they can use the button above them, which makes a notification sound. However, this sound may have other interpretations by the attendants depending on the situation:
• During landing, one bell sound signifies that the landing gear is currently in use; and when the bell rings again, it means that flight attendants can leave their seats and need to begin guiding people out of the airplane.
• When there are 3 short bells, it means that the plane stuff have to go back to their seats and pay attention to a message from the captain.
• 5 short bells indicate that the plane must be evacuated immediately.
