Show table of content Hide table of content
Flight attendant Barbara Bacilieri has sparked controversy online after revealing why passengers should refrain from applauding when airplanes land. This unexpected advice challenges a practice many travelers consider a harmless tradition. Bacilieri’s insights, shared with her 4.8 million TikTok followers, shed light on important safety considerations that most passengers overlook during those final moments of flight.
Why applauding after landing might be problematic
Barbara Bacilieri, a flight attendant for an Argentine airline, recently explained why celebrating touchdown with applause may not be the best idea. According to her expertise, landing remains a critical phase where various complications can still occur. “Although some passengers clap upon landing, I don’t recommend it,” Bacilieri stated in her viral TikTok video.
The primary concern is that planes remain vulnerable even after touching down. Brake failures, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues can create dangerous situations during those final moments on the runway. This perspective aligns with safety protocols that consider a flight complete only when the aircraft has fully stopped and passengers can safely exit.
Travel At 63, she spends a fortune to travel the world, from her own home.
These concerns are especially relevant when considering essential safety protocols during challenging travel conditions, where multiple factors can affect landing procedures. Professional pilots share this viewpoint, including Scott Kinder, who noted that passengers lack the technical understanding to evaluate landing quality properly.
“Passengers have no real idea what happens during a landing, so how do they know what to applaud and what not to applaud?” Kinder explained. He pointed out that some technically dangerous landings might feel smooth to passengers, while proper landings could seem rough despite being executed correctly.
Cultural traditions versus safety considerations
The debate around post-landing applause reveals interesting cultural differences. In certain regions, clapping serves as a cultural expression rather than direct appreciation for the pilot’s skills. One commenter on Bacilieri’s video noted, “In Puerto Rico, we applaud because we’ve arrived in our country—it’s a tradition.”
Similar to how survival tactics can vary based on regional knowledge and traditions, air travel customs differ significantly worldwide. Another commenter mentioned that in the Dominican Republic, applause expresses gratitude to God rather than the pilot, highlighting the religious significance behind this practice in some communities.
Some aviation professionals point out that pilots typically don’t hear these expressions of gratitude anyway. The cockpit door blocks most cabin noise, meaning the intended recipients of the applause remain unaware of the gesture. This disconnection between intention and reception adds another layer to the discussion about this common practice.
Bacilieri acknowledges personal choice in the matter, stating, “Applauding or not is a personal choice.” However, she emphasizes that safe landings result from coordinated teamwork involving pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers, and ground personnel—not just pilot skill alone.
Passenger reactions and alternative perspectives
Bacilieri’s advice generated mixed reactions online. Some viewers expressed newfound anxiety, with one commenter sarcastically thanking her “for awakening another fear.” Others took a humorous approach, with one joking that “when you applaud, the vibrations can cause a catastrophe.”
The discussion highlights how seemingly innocent behaviors can be reconsidered when viewed through a safety lens, similar to how security experts often identify unexpected risks in everyday habits that most people never question.
Flight crews face numerous challenges maintaining passenger safety while managing different cultural expectations. This balancing act requires careful judgment and clear communication, skills that top aviation professionals must develop throughout their careers. The best cabin crew members, like effective leaders in other fields, know how to assess situations quickly and respond appropriately to maintain control during critical moments.
Some aviation experts suggest alternative ways to show appreciation for a safe flight. Positive reviews, direct compliments to crew members while deplaning, or feedback through official airline channels can more effectively recognize excellent service without creating potential distractions during crucial safety operations.
The technical reality behind landing procedures
Understanding what actually happens during landing provides valuable context for this discussion. Modern commercial aircraft undergo comprehensive safety checks before, during, and after each flight. Pilots follow strict protocols during approach and landing, communicating continuously with air traffic control while monitoring multiple systems simultaneously.
Landing involves precise calculations accounting for weather conditions, runway length, aircraft weight, and numerous other variables. Pilots must maintain focus through the entire process, including taxi procedures after touchdown. Any distraction or complication during these final moments could potentially compromise safety.
Travel A private jet ends up in the path of a landing plane, the pilot narrowly avoids a disaster.
Aviation safety statistics demonstrate that accidents during the landing phase, while rare, do occur more frequently than during cruising altitude. This statistical reality supports Bacilieri’s cautionary advice about premature celebrations before the aircraft has completely finished its journey.
As air travel continues to evolve with new technologies and procedures, passenger education about flight operations becomes increasingly important. Understanding the complexities behind airline operations helps travelers make informed decisions about their behaviors during critical flight phases.
Whether passengers choose to applaud or remain silent after touchdown ultimately remains their choice. However, Bacilieri’s insights offer a valuable perspective from someone who experiences hundreds of landings professionally. Her advice reminds travelers that flight safety requires continuous attention until the aircraft doors finally open at the gate.
