- Budget airline EasyJet has a set of secret hand signal codes that flight attendants use to communicate. An internal video released by the airline shows how cabin crew warn each other when there’s a stag do or someone famous on board – or what to do when there’s a marriage proposal.
Budget airline EasyJet has revealed the secret codes its flight attendants use to communicate with one another in a new video.
Back in May, passenger Jamie East – a TV and radio presenter – posted a short video to Twitter showing the cabin crew conversing using “bizarre hand signals,” including a crew member doing the “chicken arm dance whilst serving the on-board food service.”
East asked the airline: “@easyJet excuse me but please explain what ON EARTH is going on here?!”
https://twitter.com/jamieeast/status/861845825223352320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Twitter users shared their guesses on what was happening in the video, with sports presenter Gabby Logan commenting: "The chicken in row 5 wants tea. Duh."
......the chicken in row 5 wants tea. Duh.
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) May 9, 2017
The airline responded by revealing that the flight attendant was signalling to her colleague in the galley that a passenger had ordered a chicken baguette.
EasyJet then released a never-before-seen video, which is normally used for training new staff to teach them "the importance of the secret code." Here's a few of our favourites:
The not-so-subtle signal for a bacon baguette
Get your antlers out for the stag
There's even a code for: "Get the Champagne - there's been a marriage proposal"
Watch the full video here:
According to the airline, over the past 21 years EasyJet crew members have "meticulously honed the hand signals to establish their own ingenious sign language to communicate key messages to colleagues."
Tina Milton, Head of Cabin Services said: "With over 6 million passengers served each month, the 'secret code' has been invented to enable our cabin crew to deliver a speedy and efficient service, whilst keeping unnecessary crew noise to a minimum and provide passengers with a relaxing and enjoyable flight.
"EasyJet flight attendants are trained in all aspects of customer service and air safety, and the secret hand signals are an integral part of their in-flight knowledge... Next time you're on-board an EasyJet flight, have a look to see which hand signals from the code you can spot."