A quick guide to Aviation English For Cabin Crew

1. Everyday life of aviation cabin crew

Flying up in the air and going from one place to your specific destination is unbelievably easy nowadays. However, in days gone by, it wasn’t so easy, and come to think of it, flying years ago had a lot of issues related to it. If you had been a pilot just a few decades ago, flying would have been quite a challenge. But travelling by plane is not just about being a part of the open sky. It goes a long way further than that. When people travel by plane, they expect and demand world-class hospitality. In order to deliver this level of hospitality, and to be able to communicate with everyone on board, the cabin crew, the people who are part of the flight serving the people, must be able to communicate effectively. .

Communication skills, body language, and the friendly attitude towards the passenger alone are not sufficient. In order to be effective in their jobs, cabin crew must be able to communicate with the passengers and everyone on board in a language that is widely understood, spoken, and read worldwide and English is the language that the aviation industry uses. The English language is considered to be a de facto language for all kinds of aviation communication. Whether you are a pilot, member of the cabin crew or involved in checking-in, it is essential to have a good command of the English language. 

While it is not difficult to find content and custom made courses specifically designed for aviation students and crew to improve their English language skills, the standard of these courses can vary from one provider to the next, and all too often the level of tuition provided is not adequate to assist the advanced student. 

One thing remains certain that no matter what, all airline and cabin crew require a high level of English to enable them to carry out their duties effectively to ensure they provide a compassionate and welcoming name for the brand in a very competitive market.

2. Passenger Based Vocabulary & its’ Importance:

While you may well have been a passenger on an airplane, you might not have contemplated how the cabin crew delivers their respective services. The reason why you might not need to question the level of service delivered may be because the professionalism of the crew is of such a high level that you almost take it for granted. Whatever the cabin crew offers, they deliver to the best of their abilities, and it should be kept in mind that the most successful airlines offer the best services not only because of their technical facilities but because of their customer service inside and outside the airplane.

It is important to mention certain words that will come handy in enhancing the vocabulary of the cabin crew and especially the flight attendants. For instance, if a passenger prefers a meal that is vegetarian, an abbreviation would be allocated to it VGML, which stands for Vegetarian Meal. These abbreviations come in handy so that passengers have no issue being served while their journey takes place. For those who have special dietary requirements, for example those with a diabetic condition, the abbreviation DBML would be used (Diabetic Meal). Some youngsters travel without their parents or an accompanying adult. These are classified as UM (Unaccompanied Minor).

3. Common Words Used While Flying

Perhaps the most used abbreviation that is used not just by the aviation crew itself but also by aviation students is A/C which represents Aircraft. There are certain words in aviation vocabulary that are fairly relatable and easy to use during flight operation. For instance, there are generally three classes in any airplane, Business Class, First Class, and Economy Class, all represented by B/C, F/C, and Y/C, respectively. The most common word used is CABIN itself, which, technically speaking is the place where the passengers are seated. Public Address (P/A) is a small space reserved for flight attendants to address the passengers for informing them of the status of their journey as well as giving instructions before taking off and landing.

Some technical words that are often exchanged are the measurement of ALTITUDE, connecting to the JETBRIDGE, and FUSELAGE. The ALTITUDE of the airplane determines its height from the ground and how much it should go up in order to complete its journey, whereas JETBRIDGE or sometimes called AIRBRIDGE allows the airplane to connect with the airport’s terminal for communication while FUSELAGE is the main body of the airplane.

4. Vocabulary To Use In Emergencies

There is no doubt that an emergency could happen at any time of the day or night during a flight. Of all the fields where it is critically important to provide emergency services, perhaps aviation ranks the highest. An emergency situation could arise at any time and it is therefore important that the staff are prepared at all times. Firstly, it is most important to keep a First Aid Kit, which can be classified in the aviation vocabulary as FAK. It needs to be there at all times. Some passengers are identified as those that may be able to provide some assistance during an emergency. These passengers designated to assist are considered Able Bodied Passenger, ABP. Any crew member with any medical background or expertise will prove a valuable asset to the aircrew team.

In the case of extreme emergencies where an emergency landing has to be undertaken the BRACE POSITION instruction must not only be given as a sign of the impending emergency landing but the crew must be prepared at all times to help passengers during the emergency landing. The same situation can arise where the plane is forced to land on water and this is potentially a more dangerous incident, therefore the term DITCHING should not only be used but the procedures to follow must also be practiced by the crew on a regular basis.

5. How can we help you improve your language skills

If you are interested in improving your English, you are more than welcome to join one of our many Aviation English courses. Examine our Aviation English course offers in your area. If you are a cabin member and wish to improve your English in a small amount of time, it can be achieved with the help of the courses offered and accompanying studying material. Motivated and eager learners can easily avail themselves of special offers and details. 

If you are interested in excelling in your career, you will need to be assessed on many levels. For cabin crew and staff working in the aviation industry, the ICAO English test is very important. It ensures that staff are qualified and fully able to communicate in all possible circumstances. 

There can be no communication barrier within the aviation industry. If you are employed in the aviation business you must ensure that your English level does not impede your career so all  cabin crew members must be sufficiently motivated to excel in their English skills.

Aviation English upholds high standards of educating cabin crew and members of civil aviation in helping them learn English. In Aviation English we understand the importance of communication. When it comes to the field of aviation, communication matters. At Aviation English, we deeply respect the importance and value of every member of the cabin team. We therefore provide the training required for cabin crew with time-efficient English courses. 

Irrespective of the crew member’s native language or mother tongue learning English at Aviation English can be quite easy.

If you want to know more about our offers and details, feel free to subscribe to the Aviation English mailing list. Course discounts, details, and not to mention new courses will be provided through the emails once you subscribe to the mailing list. So if you are looking forward to excelling in your chosen career of aviation, feel free to try our courses and guidance and ICAO test.

For more information and course details, please contact us today