A lot of behind-the-scenes action goes on to make sure your plane journey is safe and smooth – from mechanical checks to crew member training.
Code words play a part too and allow pilots and flight attendants to communicate when things may be going wrong.
From squawk codes to phrases like ‘pan-pan’, they may sound meaningless to everyday people, and they aren’t actually ever heard by the passengers on board, but they can be vital during a journey 30,000ft in the air.
Former airline captain Emma Henderson explains how each one works and when they might be used.
According to the pilot, squawk codes
To provide well-rounded coverage and a breadth of insight across various events, we rely on contributions from several staff writers, each bringing their own area of expertise to our publication.