Why do some passengers applaud when their aircraft lands?

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This was published 6 years ago

Why do some passengers applaud when their aircraft lands?

By Michael Gebicki
Passengers from certain countries seem keen to put their hands together.

Passengers from certain countries seem keen to put their hands together.Credit: Alamy


It could be relief for safe deliverance after a horrendous flight, but more likely it's another emotion entirely.

As the Beatles told us when they sang Back in the USSR, against the background sound of a wailing jet engine, "Gee it's good to be back home".

There's nothing quite like coming back to the place where they speak your language, eat the food your mother cooked and laugh at the same things as you do, the place you call home.

And if you happen to be travelling on an international flight landing at Moscow's Shermetyevo Airport, the Russians on board will often break out in spontaneous applause on touchdown.

Greeks might do it when their international flight lands at Athens.

Israelis on El Al flights coming into Ben Gurion Airport almost always do.

As a broad generalisation, it's the more passionately and demonstrative nationalist flyers who are inclined to applaud.

Scandinavians, Swiss, Germans, Brits – never – but home is where the heart is, and going back there is always worth a clap.

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