Flight Attendants Have a Secret Language You Didn’t Know About

What secrets do flight attendants conceal from passengers? It turns out that everything is buried in the way they speak.

You’ve definitely observed that flight attendants employ a certain lexicon when conversing with one another in flight. Certain terms, such as “red eye” or “dead head,” may be fairly well known among experienced travelers, but there are a few that you may not be aware of.

For those who are unfamiliar, “red eye” refers to overnight flights, while a “dead head” is an airline employee who is on board but not working. The mystery is solved.

After learning this terminology, you may be curious to discover more about the hidden language used by flight attendants to communicate. In reality, they’re only utilizing a shorthand language that other flight attendants are familiar with to get the work done as quickly as possible. In certain circumstances, these words enable flight attendants to discuss less attractive elements of their profession without disturbing passengers.

If you’re really inquisitive about this terminology, you can easily discover meanings all over the internet, some of which are offered by actual flight attendants. Some of these words have actual use, while others are more of a private joke among those who work in the “friendly skies.”

Here are a few words that flight attendants use to communicate with one another when in the air. Be glad that you’re officially in the know the next time you hear these phrases.

Galley and Queen Galley

A galley is the kitchen of an airplane. According to Airportag, this is where flight attendants prepare meals, refreshments, and set up other amenities for the cabin. According to HuffPost, a “galley queen” is a slang term for a flight attendant who is very territorial over this area and does not appreciate other people encroaching.

Jump Seat

The jump seat, according to the BBC, is a unique, smaller seat that flight attendants use during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. When the flight attendant stands up, it immediately folds up, or “jumps,” as the name implies.

Runners and spinners

According to the BBC, these phrases are used to identify a seasoned flyer’s least favorite passengers. A “spinner” is a passenger who comes at the last minute without a seat assignment and is instructed to board the plane and search for a seat. They normally just stand in the aisle “spinning,” or looking around. Runners are people that are running late or have arrived from another flight and are seen rushing through the airport to catch their flight.

Miracle flight

This may seem a little cruel, but “miracle flight” refers to a person who needs the help of a wheelchair to board but “miraculously” does not require it to deplane. Some people, it appears, exploit the system by utilizing a wheelchair to board a plane early.

Bulkhead

This is the barrier that separates the planes. It is normally located before the first row and is also where the restrooms and galley are located.

Chimes

What are the dings you hear during your flight? Flight attendants refer to them as the chimes. They can vary in tone and can imply a variety of things, such as when a passenger touches the service button, the captain calls, or there is an emergency.

Pink Eye

Don’t be alarmed; it’s not what you think. According to Matador Network, a pink-eye flight is one that departs somewhat sooner than a red-eye: late at night but not overnight. This flight normally arrives no later than midnight.

Crotch Watch

According to the Huffington Post, this is what it’s called when a flight attendant is in charge of checking for seat belts.

Cross-check

According to the BBC, this occurs upon arrival or departure. This implies that flight attendants must double-check aircraft doors to ensure they are armed and ready in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Lips and Cuticles

According to Matador Network, this word refers to a flight attendant who wears matching lipstick and nail lacquer. It’s a subtle reminder that even in the midst of a difficult day of traveling, they must maintain a respectable and polished appearance.