Flight Attendant Code Words And What They Really Mean

Much of the lingo used by flight attendants and the broader airline industry has its roots in aviation code and terminology. Aviation emphasizes communication speed, clarity, and brevity to eliminate potential misunderstandings. Scheduling terms include "ETA" for "Estimated Time of Arrival" and "ETD" for "Estimated Time of Departure."

"Pax" stands for "passengers," and "lav" is the shortened form of "lavatory." Directions are also abbreviated, with "fwd" indicating the "forward" section, while "aft" pertains to the rear of the plane. Hence, you might hear about a "pax in 1A" or "clean up in aft lav." However, flight attendants sometimes refer to the "lav" as the "blue room," a nod to the distinctive blue sanitizing fluid often found in airplane toilets.

Ever scored a seat at the front but were told to store all luggage in the overhead bin? You're at the bulkhead. The bulkhead refers to the dividers or walls separating various sections or aircraft classes, such as the galley (kitchen), first class, business, and economy. It is also a sought-after seating area for those desiring extra legroom. That is unless you can't stand crying babies on planes — this is where the baby bed is typically stored.

One term you might overhear among flight crews is "Sterile Cockpit." This isn't about cleanliness but instead concentration. The FAA mandates pilots must remain undistracted when planes are below 10,000 feet, especially during takeoff and landing. Distractions can lead to errors or oversights. Even a minor mistake during critical flight phases can have significant consequences. 

The Sterile Cockpit rule ensures this focus by minimizing non-essential chatter and interruptions. During this time, flight attendants hold off on non-urgent communications, allowing pilots to give their undivided attention to safely navigating these critical phases of flight.

While having a celebrity on board would be exciting, "Tom Cruise" is a playful term inspired by the movie star's initials. Referring to "Tom Cruise" on board signifies the day's tea and coffee positions. "Tom" or "T" stands for tea on the left of the cart, while "Cruise" or "C" denotes coffee on the right. It's a fun and simple way for attendants to remember and communicate the setup so passengers get their preferred beverages without any mix-ups.

Speaking of waiting, when you're up in the sky and hear the announcement, "We're in a holding pattern," it's akin to waiting in a queue but in the air. A "holding pattern" refers to an aircraft's circling movement around a specific navigation point, awaiting its turn and clearance to land at an airport. It's a routine procedure, ensuring order and safety in busy airspaces. So, if the crew mentions being in a holding pattern, the plane is momentarily "waiting in line" in the sky before it's safe and appropriate to descend and touch down.

Sometimes, the crew will ask each other whether the flight is RON. No, they're not talking about some guy named Ron. "RON" stands for "Remain Over Night." It's a term used when flight crew members, rather than continuing their journey or returning to their starting point the same day, will stay overnight at a specific location. Think of it as a layover for the crew. They'll also call this a "terminator." Not because it's an Austrian killing machine but because the flight is finished. — i.e., terminated.

A "turn" refers to flight attendants jetting off to a destination and returning without any layover, making these some of their shortest and quickest assignments. On the other hand, "pairing" and "trips" are longer commitments. These terms describe flight routes that span multiple days and often involve several destinations or extended layovers. If you hear flight attendants discussing their upcoming "turn" or chat about their next "pairing," you're catching a glimpse of their ever-changing work schedules.

A "jumpseat" refers to the crew seating areas near the plane exits and within the cockpit. These seats are for additional crew members. However, "jumpseating" refers to the practice where a flight attendant (or pilot) agrees to join the crew, essentially working for free, to receive a free flight. A flight attendant from another airline may also request to jumpseat. Anyone jumpseating is considered part of the crew, even if they are not officially on duty.

Airlines have specific dress codes for flight attendants and usually encompass makeup guidelines. Once the plane has touched down, flight attendants anticipate greeting each departing passenger to be professional and say goodbye. The quick ritual of freshening up just before landing —reapplying makeup or lipstick — is colloquially termed "putting on landing lips."

And that isn't just for the women. According to Business Insider, male crew for Qantas Airways can wear makeup after an airline updated its rules. It should be noted that makeup guidelines can be overly strict. As reported by Cabin Crew HQ, Spanish airline Vueling was sued in April 2023 for enforcing makeup policies such as foundation matching skin tone.

Should you catch a flight attendant mentioning a trip like "five days in Denmark," you might want to glance at your seat assignment. It could be you they are referring to! Attendants use this clever code to avoid blatant seat-specific chatter that passengers might pick up on. "Five" stands for row 5, while "days in Denmark" means seat D. Of course, it isn't limited to just Denmark — this code is versatile. "Three days in New York" would be pointing to the traveler in seat 3N. It's a fun and discreet way the crew keeps their discussions on the down-low.

If "Bob" is a term of endearment, there's an opposite that passengers would hope not to be associated with. Being dubbed a "Philip" by the flight crew is less flattering. The name originates from PILP, or "passenger I'd like to punch." It's a coded way for attendants to communicate that a particular passenger might be difficult or rude. So, while standing out for good reasons during a flight is always great, you'd most definitely want to avoid being labeled a "Philip." In fact, one flight attendant told The Sun that if you're marked a "Philip," you've messed up bad enough to receive bad service for the whole flight.

Have you ever wondered how flight attendants might deal with impolite passengers? While most professional attendants handle situations gracefully, some resort to a humorous (and slightly gross) tactic called "crop dusting." As you can imagine from the name, it involves passing by an ill-mannered traveler and discreetly letting out a bit of flatulence. It's the crew's cheeky way of settling scores with those who might not have been on their best behavior. Think of it as silent but scented feedback. Always remember kindness goes a long way, especially when flying.

To avoid unsettling passengers, the crew refers to dead bodies as Jim Wilson. Why would your fight attendant be talking about dead bodies to begin with? Because planes transport about 50,000 bodies globally yearly, often relocating them for funerals. American Airlines even operates a help desk for funeral homes named the American Airlines Jim Wilson Service.

The term originates from "Jim Wilson Trays," the shipping containers used to transport the bodies in the cargo hold. However, it's not an official term. Another reference for deceased passengers is "HR," standing for "Human Remains."

As you can probably imagine, the sleeping situation can be a bit "up in the air" for professionals who regularly find themselves in different cities. Unless they need some "slam-click" rest and privacy, crew members may head to a crash pad. These communal lodging spots are typically a house or apartment shared by crew members. Usually only a few miles from the airport, crash pads allow flight attendants to get a bit of rest between flights — even if it's just crashing on a bunk bed for a few hours.