Fly Damnit

Passenger announcement

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking…”

Im sure you have heard this before. Normally the captain will make the announcement. But can a first officer do an announcement?

Sure they can. Below is an example of a full announcement made by a first officer for a typical short sector 737 flight. The example is for a typical Malaysia Airlines flight.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH _____ to _______. This is First Officer ___________ speaking on behalf Captain Jack Sparrow. For your information we are now cruising at 24,000 feet above sea level, with a ground speed of 600km/h.

The weather on route is occasionally cloudy and according the forecast, the weather during arrival is expected to be cloudy as well with a temperature of 25 degree Celsius. Subject to air traffic situation, we shall be landing at 1:05 pm.

On behalf of the captain and the crew, I would like to say that it has been a pleasure having you with us and we thank you for flying with Malaysia Airlines.

*Update the underlined words with flight conditions.
If it’s a long sector, say over one hour, 2 announcements can be made. Adjust the end of the announcement above.

Subject to air traffic situation, we shall be landing at 1.05pm. I shall be back on just prior our descend into Penang to update you with the latest weather and the estimated time of arrival. Thank you.

The PA is not over yet. Now there is another PA to be made prior to descend.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, this is your First Officer ____________ again. I trust that you have enjoyed your flight with us so far. We will be starting our descend shortly. Weather during descend is fine and weather at destination is reported cloudy with a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Subject to air traffic situation again, we expect to land 3.20pm.

On behalf of the captain and the crew, I would like to say that it has been a pleasure having you with us and we thank you for flying Malaysia Airlines.

So that if it’s a normal day and everything is on schedule. What if this go according to schedule? What if there is a delay? I guess its normal hearing this PA too.

Ladies and gentlemen. This is Captain Jack once again. All passengers are onboard now, however because of air traffic congestion we will be departing in 20mins time. I will keep you updated if there is any change to our departure time. Thank you.

Make sure that the passengers are informed if the delay extends beyond 20mis.

PA during turbulence or upon switching “seat belt sign: ON”

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Captain, we are approaching an area where it might be a little bumpy. For your comfort, I will try to take the smoother route with the use of radar but would like you to be seated and make sure that your seat belt is securely fastened.

The Do’s

• Note down relevant points
• Coordinate with IFS or the cabin crew in charge before making a PA
• Be brief and make positive statements
• Smile, be friendly and introduce yourself
• Be simple and factual when things go wrong
• Use correct grammar and choices of words

The Don’ts

• Don’t use technical or aviation terms
• Don’t try to be funny
• Don’t be apologizing too often
• Don’t blame the airline staff or other department
• Don’t mention being late or behind schedule too often

Some words are also inappropriate during inflight announcement.

• Serious malfunction
• Memorable flight
• Violent
• Thunderstorm
• Turbulence
• Bad weather
• Heavy rain
• Bumpy

Why are passenger announcement important?

• This is because some of these questions will appear in the minds of passengers
• Why have the engine not started?
• Why are we still waiting for take-off?
• Why are we turning around and around and not landing?
• Something is not right with the aircraft, why aren’t the pilots telling us?
• Is something bothering the pilots?

I will add more if i remember anything else.

Source: FLY WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS, P.A. Enhancement for Flight Crew