As millions of Americans prepare to take flights this summer—whether for a quick domestic break or an overseas getaway—most travelers will be bracing themselves for the familiar inflight announcements.
From reminders about seatbelts and life vests to updates on turbulence and arrival times, the cabin PA can feel predictable. What many passengers don’t realize, though, is that some announcements and phrases can carry a second meaning intended for airline staff rather than customers.
These are often short codes, abbreviations, or seemingly harmless terms that allow crew members to communicate quickly and discreetly. A flight attendant has now shared details on what several of these codes mean—and which ones are worth paying attention to if you hear them during a trip.
One phrase you may hear is ABP—something that could suggest the crew is preparing for a potential issue.
The term refers to passengers who may be able to help if a situation escalates. An anonymous Qatar Airways flight attendant told MSN the code stands for ‘Able Bodied Passengers,’ and it helps staff quickly identify people who appear physically capable of assisting in an emergency.
Crew members will often scan during boarding for travelers who seem strong, calm, and able to follow instructions. While they may take mental notes quietly, hearing ABP announced can indicate that extra help might soon be needed.
Not all codes are strictly operational, however. Some are more like shorthand used between staff to describe what they’re seeing in the cabin.
According to The Sun, one example is BOB—short for ‘Babe on board / best on board’—used when a passenger has caught a flight attendant’s attention.
Even the way you’re farewelled might be telling. Some reports claim that being told ‘cheerio’ instead of a standard ‘goodbye’ can be a sign the crew would be happy to see you again on a future flight.
Other labels are less friendly.
“If you’re labelled a ‘Philip,’ then you’ve done something wrong and should probably expect to get bad service for the rest of the flight,” one flight attendant told the publication.
“That name originated from the term PILP – Passenger I’d Like to Punch – but has changed over time to become slightly more subtle.”
And it isn’t only passengers who might be referenced. There are also codes that relate to serious onboard incidents.
For instance, Code 300 and Angel are said to be used when a passenger has died during the flight.
Meanwhile, Squawk 7500—or the word Hotel—has been reported as a signal associated with a hijacking situation.
“If you ever hear this code mentioned by the flight crew or air traffic control, it signals a potential security threat on the flight,” the experts warn.
“The aircraft’s transponder will send a signal with this code to alert authorities that the plane is in danger.”