Pilot finally gives answer to mysterious sound you hear on airplanes and what it means

If you're anxious about flying, there's a good chance you'll be aware of all the weird and wonderful noises an aircraft makes - especially during take-off and landing.

Sometimes, it can help to fully understand what all the different sounds are, so if you are faced with some strange noises, you won't panic.

Luckily, an American Airlines pilot has shared some answers.

Steve, who goes by @captainsteeeve on TikTok, shared a video online, delving into what those 'ding' noises mean and how many times you can expect to hear the strange sound during a flight.

“So, you’re sitting in the back of the airplane and you hear [a ding]. And you think, hmm, is that a random ding, is there a purpose behind that ding? Well, the answer is yes,” he says in the clip.

“I chime the flight attendants three separate times during the flight on purpose.

"The first time is as we're taxiing out and you'll hear the announcement, 'flight attendants prepare for departure'.

"Shortly after that I'm cleared for takeoff, when I'm cleared to go onto the runway and takeoff I give them a ding, that's their final warning, take a seat, we're about to takeoff."

Steve adds that as the plane is climbing into the sky, he sends out a ding once again to communicate with the flight attendants that it's safe for them to get out of their seat and start their service.

Steve later 'dings' a third and final time when the plane is descending, adding: "That way they know they've only got a few minutes left to get everything cleaned up and put away because we're about to land."

People were loving the video, with many pointing out that it was helpful to understand what the noises mean.

"Thank you. Those chimes are so anxiety provoking..now I know!!" One wrote.

And a second added: "A nervous flyer here. I appreciate knowing this! I absolutely associate those dings with 'seatbelts!! it's about to get bumpy!!'"

Although others admitted it still causes them serious anxiety.

One wrote: "The dings give me anxiety."

While another said: "The first ding means the Pilot has passed out. The double ding means the co pilot has also passed out."

And a third added: "Don't do that again we already stressed."

Some TikTokers explained they had always assumed the dings are coming from passengers who need the flight attendants' assistance.