Every sound after takeoff, and why it is normal
The first few minutes after takeoff are full of new noises. Each one has a simple, routine reason, and they happen on almost every flight.
During the takeoff run
- A deep roar and being pressed into your seat
- Takeoff power. The push you feel is the plane accelerating, much like a fast car, though gentler.
- The rumbling suddenly stops
- The wheels have left the runway. That smoothness is the moment you are flying.
The first minute in the air
- A clunk or thump a few seconds later
- The landing gear folding up into the plane, then its doors closing. It can be surprisingly loud, and it happens on every flight.
- The engines get quieter, and you feel a slight sinking
- Shortly after takeoff the pilots reduce from takeoff power to climb power. The plane is still climbing. Many people feel this as slowing down, and it is completely routine.
- Whirring again, then a gentle settle
- The flaps on the back of the wings retracting in stages as the plane speeds up. Each stage can feel like a tiny dip.
Climbing to cruise
- The plane banks into a turn
- Following the departure route. Turns in passenger jets are gentle, usually well under a 30° tilt, though looking out of the window makes them seem steeper.
- A chime
- Chimes are signals between the pilots and the crew, or for the seatbelt sign. They are routine messages, not alarms.
- Ears feeling full
- The cabin pressure changing gradually as you climb. Swallowing or yawning helps.
If a sound surprises you, notice that the crew carry on as normal. They hear the same sounds on every flight, several times a day.