If you hear THIS on a plane, it could mean someone has died onboard

As air travel in the U.S. and across Europe continues to soar, with domestic vacations at an all-time high, many passengers are flying more than ever, with a record 5.2 billion passengers expected to fly in 2025*. While most flights go smoothly, flight crews use a secret language to discreetly communicate situations ranging from lighthearted quirks to serious, even life-or-death emergencies - often without passengers ever noticing.

One phrase to listen for is ‘Code 300’ or ‘Angel’, which signals a deceased passenger on board. These discreet codes allow the crew to handle the situation without alarming other passengers or drawing attention to the tragic event.

The travel experts at Wander have put together a list of in-flight codes and phrases you might encounter on your next flight:

1. Squawk 7500 or Hotel - What It Means: A hijacking in progress. If you ever hear this code mentioned by the flight crew or air traffic control, it signals a potential security threat on the flight. The aircraft’s transponder will send a signal with this code to alert authorities that the plane is in danger.
2. Code Yellow - What It Means: This code indicates a minor medical situation, such as a passenger feeling lightheaded or nauseous. While not an emergency, this term lets crew members discreetly monitor the situation and prepare any necessary assistance.
3. Pan-Pan - What It Means: A serious, non-life-threatening emergency. While not as critical as a "MAYDAY," a "Pan-Pan" call indicates that something is wrong on board, whether it's mechanical trouble or a medical emergency, but the flight is not in imminent danger.
4. Mermaid - What It Means: A playful yet passive-aggressive nickname for a passenger who deliberately sprawls out across empty seats to deter others from sitting in their row. This behavior is particularly common on flights with spare seats, where a passenger may stretch out or scatter belongings to claim extra space.
5. Code Adam - What It Means: Used in airports to indicate a missing child. If an announcement is made for a "Code Adam," staff will begin searching for the child while securing exits to prevent abduction scenarios. This term is derived from the Adam Walsh Child Safety Act.
6. VIP - What It Means: It is mostly known to refer to a ‘Very Important Person,’ but in the airline industry, it sometimes stands for ‘Very Irritating Passenger.’ Crew use this term to subtly refer to a traveler who is making excessive demands, complaining frequently, or generally being difficult without necessarily violating any rules.