What do those chimes on your flight mean? Airline captain reveals their meaning

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I fly a lot so I’ve learned over the years what the multiple chimes that passengers hear during a flight mean. But I just came across a great video of a commercial airline captain, who goes by Captain Steve, explaining what the purpose behind those sounds is in layman’s terms. So now, when your kids ask you what that ding or chime means, you’ll know too.

Here’s the video of Captain Steve’s explanation:

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Here’s what he says:

“If you’re in the back of the airplane and you hear this (ding noise) and you think, “Hmm? Is that a random ding? Is there a purpose behind that ding?” In fact, there is and a little bit later you hear this (two dings).

“There’s that ding again. It happened a second time. Is there a rhyme or a reason?” Well, the answer is yes. I chime the flight attendants three separate times during the flight on purpose.

“The first time is as we’re taxiing out and you’ll hear the announcement, “Flight attendants, prepare for departure.”

Shortly after that, I’m cleared for takeoff. When I’m cleared to go on to the runway and takeoff, I turn that no smoking sign on and off and give them a ding. That’s their final warning to take a seat, we’re about to take off.

Then as we’re climbing out and through 10,000 feet, I reach up and grab that no smoking signagain and give them another ding to let them know, it’s safe now to get out of their seat and start their service.

When’s the third time? After that PA on descent when I say, “Flight attendants, prepare for landing.” As we’re coming back down through 10,000 feet, I ding them one more time and that way they know they’ve only got a few minutes left to get everything cleaned up and put away because we’re about to land. And now you know, I’m Captain Steve. Fly safe!”

What do the chimes on an airplane mean?
I hope this video helps to calm your fears or satisfy your curiosity because knowing routine things like this can help you be a better traveler, too.