Flight attendant reveals chilling reason why passengers should never clap when a plane lands at airport

You’ve had a nice, calm, smooth flight, you’re feeling ready for your holiday and the wheels have finally touched down in your destination.

You just want to sit back and relax when all of a sudden you hear that agitating, grating sound. I mean, there always has to be someone doesn’t there?

I’m talking about the plane clappers. Unless you’re one yourself or, I guess just an easy-going person, there can be something so cringe about travellers who clap when a plane lands.

And now, it seems a flight attendant has given us a reason to rule out that weird bit of plane etiquette.

Argentinian airline crew member who goes by Barbiebac on TikTok has revealed a chilling reason why passengers should never clap when the plane touches down.

She told her followers: “Although some passengers applaud upon landing, I don’t recommend it.”

The creator pointed out that the first explanation many go to at first isn't even the problem: the pilots won’t even hear the clapping from their passengers, as they're in the cockpit, with the sealed door likely blocking out the noise.

But her real reasoning behind not giving the round of applause the moment the wheels hit the tarmac is because that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re in the clear and have enjoyed a safe flight. Yeah, it’s dark.

Until the aircraft has finished taxiing and comes to a complete stop, ‘unexpected situations can occur’, the crew member explained. She listed potential incidents during that time as brake failure, burst tires, and emergency reverser activation.

And once the plane has stopped moving and the journey is officially over, Barbiebac says clapping is ‘a personal choice’.

One user wrote sarcastically in the comments: “Thanks for unlocking another fear,” as they learned they might not yet be ‘safe’ despite landing.

While others say they always applaud on landing because ‘it is a tradition’ or to ‘congratulate’ the staff on a good flight.

Travel Republic’s head of commercial Gemma Brown told the New York Post however: “When the plane lands, avoid clapping as it can appear rude to the pilots, as though you’re undermining their skill.”

She added: “If you want to show some love for a job well done, you can show your appreciation at the end of the flight with a polite thank you. The pilot and crew will usually wait at the exit giving you an opportunity to show your gratitude.”

And despite these reasons, let’s not forget, plenty of passengers find it unbearably cringy if you start applauding.