The Complete Guide to Flight Attendant Announcements & Scripts (2025)

✈️ Have you ever wondered what flight attendants are really saying when they make announcements?
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, an English learner, or training to become cabin crew, understanding flight attendant announcements is essential. These scripts are carefully designed to keep passengers safe, flights on time, and the onboard experience professional.

This guide combines real flight attendant script examples, aviation English vocabulary, and delivery tips into one resource you can use for learning, teaching, or professional training.

1) What Are Flight Announcements? (and why they matter)

✈️ Flight attendant announcements are structured messages delivered by cabin crew (and sometimes the captain) from the moment passengers line up at the gate to the final farewell after landing. Think of them as the roadmap of the journey in the sky — they keep people safe, on time, and informed.

🔒 Safety & Compliance

At the heart of every script is safety. Clear airline announcements make sure passengers:

• Fasten seatbelts properly across their hips 🛡️
• Know where the emergency exits are 🚪
• Understand how to use oxygen masks 😷 and life vests 🛟
• Follow instructions quickly in an emergency 🚨

A consistent passenger safety announcement script saves lives by reducing confusion when it matters most.

⏰ On-Time Operations

Airlines rely on precise communication to keep schedules tight. Flight announcements support:

• Efficient boarding order 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️
• Correct stowage of carry-on luggage 🧳
• Passengers returning seats & tray tables upright 🪑
• Following electronic device rules 📱✈️

Without clear announcements, delays and disruptions would be far more common.

😊 Passenger Experience

Announcements also shape how passengers feel on board. From a warm “welcome aboard” to timely updates about:

• In-flight service (meals, drinks, duty-free) 🍽️🥤🛍️
• Turbulence alerts 🌬️
• Estimated arrival times 🛬
• Connections and baggage claim 🎒

These updates build trust and reduce stress, especially for nervous flyers or international travelers.

📚 For Learners & Aviation Professionals

For ESL students and aviation trainees, announcements double as a practical aviation English course. They’re invaluable for:

• Practicing aviation English for flight attendants 💬
• Preparing for crew interviews 🎤
• Onboard service training 🧑‍✈️
• Listening practice for English learners traveling abroad 🌍

Whether you’re an aspiring cabin crew member or just want to understand announcements better as a passenger, mastering these scripts is an essential skill.

2) Types of Airline Announcements (boarding → arrival)

Every stage of a flight has its own announcement script. These are not random — they follow a universal structure designed for safety, efficiency, and passenger reassurance. Below are the most common types of airline announcements, explained with examples, purposes, and best practices.

💡 Tip: Use these as subheadings in lesson plans or as part of a training manual for cabin crew.

✈️ Flight Announcement Quiz: Fun English Practice for ESL Learners

2.1 🛫 Pre-Boarding Announcement (Gate)

Purpose: Alert early boarding groups — usually families with young children, passengers needing special assistance, and premium-class travelers. This ensures those who need more time can board without stress.

Example Script:
“Good afternoon. This is the pre-boarding announcement for Flight 1023 to London. We now invite passengers with small children and those requiring special assistance to board at this time. First- and business-class passengers are also welcome to board.”

Why it matters: Sets the tone for order and fairness at the gate, avoids crowding, and reassures priority passengers.

2.2 🎟️ General Boarding Announcement

Purpose: Begin the main boarding process in groups or rows. Keeps passengers informed and ensures efficient boarding.

Example Script:
“Welcome aboard Flight 778 to New York. At this time, we are pleased to begin general boarding. Please have your boarding passes and photo ID ready. Boarding will proceed by groups as shown on your passes. Thank you for your cooperation.”

2.3 🛟 Safety Demonstration Announcement

Purpose: Deliver the core passenger safety announcement script. This is legally required and often standardized across airlines. It explains seatbelts, exits, oxygen masks, life vests, and safety cards.

Example Script:
“Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the crew as we review the safety features of this aircraft.

• Seatbelts: Fasten by inserting the metal tip into the buckle.
• Exits: This aircraft has six emergency exits. The nearest exit may be behind you.
• Oxygen masks: If cabin pressure drops, masks will fall from above. Pull down, secure over nose and mouth, and breathe normally.
• Life vests: Located under your seat. Slip it over your head, secure the strap, and inflate outside the aircraft.”

3) Flight Attendant Script Examples in English

Below are concise, professional script examples you can plug in. Keep wording simple, pace steady, and tone friendly.

3.1 Pre-Boarding (Gate)

“Good afternoon. This is the pre-boarding announcement for [Airline] Flight [Number] to [Destination]. We invite passengers needing special assistance and families traveling with small children to board now at Gate [X]. General boarding will begin in 10 minutes.”

3.2 General Boarding

“Welcome aboard! We are now boarding [Airline] Flight [Number] to [Destination]. Please have your boarding pass and ID ready. Today we’ll board by groups as shown on your pass. We appreciate your cooperation.”

3.3 Safety Demonstration (Passenger Safety Announcement Script)

“Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the crew for a brief review of the safety features of this aircraft.

• Seatbelts: Fasten by inserting the metal tip into the buckle; tighten by pulling on the strap.
• Exits: This aircraft has [number] emergency exits. The nearest exit may be behind you.
• Oxygen masks: If needed, masks will drop from the panel above. Pull to start oxygen flow, secure over nose and mouth, and breathe normally before helping others.
• Life vests: Located under your seat. Slip over your head, secure the strap, and inflate outside the aircraft.

Please read the safety card in your seat pocket and follow all crew instructions.”

3.4 In-Flight Update (Captain or Purser)

“This is your captain speaking. We’re at cruising altitude of [35,000 feet] with smooth conditions expected. Estimated arrival in [City] is [Local Time]. In-flight service will begin shortly.”

3.5 Turbulence

“Attention, passengers. We’re expecting turbulence. Please return to your seats and fasten seatbelts. Lavatories are temporarily unavailable. Thank you for your cooperation.”

3.6 Pre-Arrival / Descent

“We’ll begin our descent in approximately 30 minutes. Please return to your seats, fasten seatbelts, raise seatbacks, and stow tray tables and carry-on items. Local time in [City] is [Time], with [weather brief].”

3.7 Arrival & Farewell

“Welcome to [City]! The local time is [Time]. Please remain seated with seatbelts fastened until the seatbelt sign is off. Use caution when opening overhead bins. Baggage claim is located in [Area/Carousel]. Thank you for flying with [Airline] — we look forward to seeing you again.”

4) Aviation English Vocabulary & Key Phrases (Expanded Quick Reference)

🛫 Boarding / Pre-boarding / Final boarding call
Stages of getting on the plane. Pre-boarding is for families, assistance, or premium passengers. Final call means the gate is closing.
👉 “This is the final boarding call for Flight 372 to Paris.”

🧳 Carry-on items
Small bags allowed inside the cabin, stored in overhead bins or under the seat.
👉 “Please place all carry-on items in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.”

💡 Seatbelt sign
Light above the seat telling passengers to fasten belts. Used for takeoff, landing, or turbulence.
👉 “The seatbelt sign is now on. Please remain seated with your belts fastened.”

🪑 Tray table / Seatback (upright)
Must be stowed and upright for takeoff and landing.
👉 “Please return your seatbacks to the upright position and stow tray tables.”

🍴 Galley
Aircraft kitchen where crew prepare meals and drinks.
👉 “We kindly ask passengers not to gather near the galley area.”

☁️ Cruising altitude
Main flying height (usually 30,000–40,000 ft).
👉 “We have reached our cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.”

⬇️ Descent
Aircraft lowering altitude before landing.
👉 “We will begin our descent into Seoul shortly.”

😷 Oxygen mask
Drops from above if cabin pressure is lost. Place over nose and mouth, secure before helping others.
👉 “If oxygen masks appear, pull one toward you and secure it firmly over your face.”

🛟 Life vest
Flotation device under the seat, inflated only outside the aircraft.
👉 “Your life vest is located beneath your seat. Inflate only when leaving the aircraft.”

🚪 Emergency exits
Doors/over-wing exits for evacuation; may be behind you.
👉 “Please take a moment to locate the nearest exit.”

🎟️ Boarding pass
Travel document required to enter the aircraft.
👉 “Please have your boarding passes and identification ready for inspection.”

🛄 Checked baggage
Luggage stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold.
👉 “All oversized bags must be checked as checked baggage.”

📱 Airplane mode
Phone/device setting required during flight.
👉 “Please switch all electronic devices to airplane mode.”

🛑 Taxi / Taxiing
Movement of the plane on the ground before takeoff or after landing.
👉 “We are now taxiing to the runway.”

🛫 Takeoff
When the aircraft leaves the ground.
👉 “Flight attendants, please be seated for takeoff.”

🛬 Landing
When the aircraft touches down on the runway.
👉 “We will be landing in 15 minutes.”

🧑‍✈️ Cabin crew / Flight attendants
Staff responsible for passenger safety and service.
👉 “If you need assistance, please ask a member of the cabin crew.”

🎧 Public Address (PA) system
Intercom system used for announcements.
👉 “Ladies and gentlemen, this is an announcement over the PA system.”

🧾 Safety card
Instruction card in seat pocket showing emergency procedures.
👉 “Please review the safety card located in your seat pocket.”

🔔 Call button
Button above the seat to request assistance from crew.
👉 “If you need anything, press the call button above your seat.”

🚻 Lavatory
Aircraft restroom.
👉 “There is a lavatory at the front and rear of the cabin.”

🛒 Duty-free
Shopping available onboard international flights without local taxes.
👉 “We will shortly begin our duty-free service.”

⏰ Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)
Expected arrival time at the destination.
👉 “Our ETA into New York is 5:15 PM local time.”

🌍 Local time
The time at the arrival city, often different from departure.
👉 “The local time in London is 9:30 AM.”

🌡️ Cabin pressure
Air pressure in the cabin. If it drops, oxygen masks deploy.
👉 “In case of a cabin pressure change, masks will drop automatically.”

📢 Turbulence
Bumpy air movement causing the plane to shake.
👉 “We are expecting turbulence. Please fasten your seatbelts.”

🪪 Identification (ID)
Passport or national ID card required for boarding.
👉 “Please present your ID with your boarding pass.”

5) Tips to Deliver Clear, Professional Announcements

• Use simple language: avoid jargon; short, direct sentences.
• Be concise: include only essentials (safety, timing, actions).
• Professional tone: polite, calm, friendly; smile in your voice.
• Pace & enunciation: moderate speed; articulate clearly.
• Positive framing: “Please remain seated” vs. negatives.
• Cultural sensitivity: inclusive terms; clear universal phrases.
• Emergency readiness: know the script, stay calm, give step-by-step.
• Practice & feedback: rehearse regularly; request peer review.
• Adapt live: update for delays, weather, service changes.

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