Passengers clapping when a plane lands safely is a common occurrence, especially on longer flights. But do pilots actually like it when passengers applaud upon landing? The answer seems to depend on who you ask.
Do pilots appreciate passengers clapping?
Many pilots say they don’t mind or even enjoy hearing passengers clap. It can be a nice gesture to recognize the pilots for smoothly completing the flight. As pilots, they work hard to ensure a safe and comfortable trip, so applause is a positive affirmation that they did their job well. Some pilots say it never gets old and helps remind them that they play an important role in the lives of the hundreds of passengers on the airplane. A little applause can brighten their day.
However, other pilots find clapping unnecessary or odd. They see flying commercial jets as routine and view it as just another day on the job, not something warranting applause. Additionally, pilots aren’t solely responsible for a successful landing – the entire flight crew plays a role. So some pilots feel the clapping isn’t directed at the right people.
When do passengers clap?
Clapping most commonly occurs after longer flights, over 3+ hours in duration. Short domestic hops of an hour or less don’t typically elicit applause. Some routes notorious for clapping include New York to London, Los Angeles to Sydney, and Dallas to Tokyo. Turbulence during the flight also increases the chances of landing cheers, as passengers are relieved to be back on solid ground. However, you may hear clapping on any flight over a few hours.
Interestingly, different cultures have varied clapping customs. Passengers from Europe and Asia are less likely to clap than Americans and Australians. Italians rarely clap upon landing. Ultimately, the phenomenon seems universal but more prevalent in certain regions.
Do airlines or pilots encourage it?
Most airlines have no official policy on post-landing applause. Flight attendants usually will not initiate or request clapping. It’s generally an organic passenger reaction, not one the crew solicits.
That said, a few budget European airlines actually prompt passengers to clap by making announcements like “We ask you to give a big hand to your pilots on behalf of Ryanair.” This demonstrates appreciation for the pilots and gives the airline good PR. However, most airlines leave any applause up to the passengers’ discretion.
What do etiquette experts recommend?
Opinions differ on the custom’s propriety. Some etiquette experts say clapping shows courtesy and is a thoughtful way to recognize the pilots. But others argue passengers shouldn’t applaud a routine landing that is the crew’s expected duty.
A compromise position is to clap only after an exceptionally smooth or difficult landing. For instance, after turbulence, low visibility conditions, or a crosswind landing requiring skill. Reserve applause for landings where the pilots notably go above and beyond. This selective clapping may be seen as more appropriate etiquette.
Arguments against clapping
While many pilots don’t mind a round of applause, there are reasons some argue against clapping upon landing:
- It’s the pilots’ job – Pilots are paid professionals doing their duty, not performers providing entertainment that warrants applause.
- Other crew are involved – Flight attendants and other staff also ensure a safe journey, not just the pilots.
- It’s distracting – Clapping may distract pilots during important landing procedures.
- It’s premature – Occasionally planes encounter issues right after landing that could make clapping seem premature.
These points explain why some pilots and etiquette experts discourage applause as unnecessary or poorly timed.
Arguments in favor of clapping
Despite objections, there are reasons why clapping remains a common custom:
- It shows appreciation – Polite passengers want to show gratitude for being transported safely.
- It’s cultural – In some Western cultures, clapping is a reflexive way to express joy after a long flight.
- It acknowledges difficulties – Weather and technical challenges make pilots’ jobs tough, worthy of recognition.
- Pilots appreciate it – Many pilots admit it boosts morale and pride in their work.
These factors explain why clapping has become an ingrained tradition for many air travelers worldwide.
Do pilots come out of the cockpit to accept applause?
In most cases, the pilots remain in the cockpit managing post-landing checklists and taxiing the plane to the gate. They usually don’t witness firsthand any applause from the cabin. However, they can hear muffled clapping and cheering over the cockpit speakers.
Pilots emerging from the cockpit to accept applause only happens on very rare occasions. It requires a unique set of circumstances and an extremely grateful passenger group. Airlines typically discourage pilots from doing this due to safety and scheduling priorities getting passengers off the plane swiftly.
But a few viral videos show pilots briefly poking their heads out to wave at wildly cheering passengers after extraordinarily challenging flights. For example, after circling for hours burning excess fuel, then landing safely amidst major storms. While pilots aren’t seeking fanfare, even they admit such rare applause feels meaningful.
Conclusion
In the end, whether to clap or not comes down to personal preference. For pilots, a little recognition is welcome but unnecessary. They fly to get passengers safely to their destination, not earn applause. For travelers, clapping can be a reflexive cultural custom expressing relief more than actual praise for pilots.
While the practice remains controversial, it seems likely to persist as an ingrained passenger tradition on longer flights. But you can always opt not to clap if it doesn’t feel right to you. Just having pilots smoothly get you to your destination is thanks enough.