Pilot explains real reason behind plane 'ding' and it's not what you think

For those who've felt their nerves spike at the sound of a 'ding' just as a plane prepares to ascend, one pilot has come forward to allay fears, assuring that these sounds are standard parts of the flight process and indicate that things are running smoothly.

Captain Steve light-heartedly dismissed the idea of "random dings," emphasizing that they serve a "purpose" He divulged: "I chime the flight attendants three separate times during the flight on purpose. The first time is when we're taxiing out and you'll hear the announcement 'flight attendants prepare for departure'."

Steve elaborated: "Shortly after that, I'm cleared for takeoff, and when I'm cleared to go on the runway, and take off, I turn that no smoking sign on and off, and I give them a ding". This particular ding acts as a "final warning" for the crew to buckle up in preparation for a safe takeoff.

As the aircraft ascends beyond "ten thousand feet," Steve signals with another ding, indicating it's "safe to start the service". This cue usually precedes the deactivation of the seatbelt sign for passengers, unless turbulence dictates otherwise, necessitating the sign to stay illuminated for safety.

The captain will signal with a ding when it's time for the crew to prepare for landing, alerting them to take their seats as the aircraft descends through ten thousand feet towards its destination.

This cue lets the flight attendants know they have only a few minutes left to tidy up the cabin, allowing them to sweep through with trash bags and ensure everything is spick-and-span for the next set of passengers, thus avoiding any delays for the subsequent flight.

However, some folks in the comment section were puzzled, with one person pointing out that there isn't a "dedicated ding button" and it sounds just like the "seatbelt sound".

Another pilot chimed in with an explanation: "Most aircraft have the no smoking sign installed already, since you actually needed it years and years ago. Now it's not actually needed since smoking onboard is illegal, however, it would cost A LOT of money, and I mean A LOT to redesign the aircraft to remove this and just include a normal chime, sooo we just use what's available to us!"

Captain Steve's informative videos earned accolades from one viewer who said: "Everything you are explaining in these videos, I have always wondered and I just feel a lot better right now. All this knowledge has helped me with flying anxiety".

Adding a touch of humor, a mother shared: "I told my son the first time he flew that it dinged everytime someone farted. Lol".