Airline flight attendants often spend long periods away from their families, balancing the challenge of maintaining a friendly, professional demeanor with the stresses of their job. To support each other during these demanding flights, cabin crew frequently develop close bonds, sharing inside jokes and a secret code to discreetly communicate about passengers and onboard situations without alarming those around them.
One common example is the term “mermaid,” used by flight attendants to describe passengers who take up more space than they should—spreading out across multiple seats or with carry-on bags encroaching into others’ space. Kolin Jones, pilot and CEO of Amalfi Jets, explains that “mermaid” is a tongue-in-cheek nickname for those who “manspread” during a flight. If you happen to overhear this term, it might be wise to check if you’re unintentionally occupying more room than necessary.
In emergencies, clear but calm communication is crucial. Cabin crew use coded language like “Code 300” or “Angel” to indicate medical issues discreetly so as not to spread panic among passengers. Jason Martinelli, Director of Operations at Cirrus Aviation Services, notes that these terms vary between airlines and teams, emphasizing the importance of subtlety in managing onboard challenges while maintaining order.
READ MORE: Chris Davies’ Tactical Shift Sparks Birmingham City’s Three-Week Revival
READ MORE: Birmingham’s New Culinary Fusion: The Cobosa
Not all secret codes are flattering. For instance, “VIP” doesn’t mean “Very Important Person” in this context—instead, it often stands for “Very Irritating Passenger.” This label is assigned to those who monopolize flight attendants’ time or behave disruptively, reminding passengers that sometimes a compliment from cabin crew can carry a hidden meaning.
Other phrases you might catch include “pan-pan,” an intermediate urgency signal alerting crew to potential medical or mechanical issues without declaring a full emergency. More serious and seldom heard onboard are radio codes like “Squawk 7500” or “Hotel,” which indicate a possible hijacking or grave threat — reserved for communication between pilots and ground control.
With fuel prices climbing, fewer travelers may take to the skies this summer, but for those flying, keeping an ear out for this hidden lexicon can offer fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes world of cabin crew communication.