Sydney Airport T1 becomes 'quiet terminal' with fewer announcements
By Chris C., September 14 2018
Sydney Airport’s international terminal will become a quieter place to relax and unwind when jetting abroad, with T1 transitioning to become a ‘quiet terminal’ from Monday September 17.
While regular announcements will continue to be made at and around boarding gates, only “critical” announcements will be broadcast terminal-wide, which Australian Business Traveller understands will be limited to emergency PAs as necessary, such as in response to fire alarms or other incidents, rather than passenger paging.
“As is the case at all airports, passengers are advised of their gate and boarding time upon check-in,” says Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert.
“We’ve worked closely with our airline partners (to strike) the right balance between providing a relaxing and stress-free environment, and ensuring passengers have the information they need in terms of signage and updated flight information … to get to their gate in a timely and efficient manner.”
The move follows other major airports including Dubai, Singapore Changi and Helsinki which generally avoid making terminal-wide announcements, although boarding calls inside airport lounges will continue as normal, at the discretion of each airline.
Announcements will also continue at Sydney Airport’s other terminals for passengers taking domestic flights.
Also read: Five tips for your stay in a 'silent' airport lounge
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Good. To take a line from Seinfeld, "if you're too fat, slow
and disoriented to get to your gate on time, you're not ready for air travel."
Fewer "urgently paging Mr SoAndSo who couldn't work out that gate 11 is located between gates 10 and 12" announcements has to be a good thing, assuming that's one of the things they cut down on.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
16 Oct 2017
Total posts 157
Anything to reduce the cacophony will be a winner with me.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
I didn't think anyone took any notice of them anyway. It will still be bedlam.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2011
Total posts 77
Any chance the individual airlines can follow through and cut down on the number of inane and unnecessary on-board announcements?
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Yes you are right, the amount of garbage messages on board are just ridiculous. I experienced an announcement made on a United Domestic flight, from Chicago in heavy snow conditions, which came through as soon as the nose lifted up, I thought we were all goners...., the Flight Attendant used that crucial moment to say that now that we were off the ground, Cabin Service will soon commence, it was totally inappropriate.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 77
A quieter shopping experience!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Jan 2016
Total posts 89
When catching afternoon flights head to the lounge for the whole day, relax and make use of the quiet time and have as many VC's as needed and no-one will know you're there.
Yes I know it's ambitious...!!!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Oct 2017
Total posts 35
Having just traveled through South Africa, all their airports have gone silent. Absolute bliss.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 165
My better half and I were both commenting how wonderful it would be if that happened. There was barely a minute without an announcement when we were there a few weeks ago.
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 156
Fair enough, but they need to make sure there are sufficient screens that you basically can't turn your head without seeing one. Nothing more frustrating than having to get up from your chair every 5 minutes to check the screen.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 115
Its about time they stopped announcing in the domestic terminal, that "paging so and so, please proceed directly to gate 4 where your flight is closed and awaiting an immediate departure". After all these years I'm still trying to figure out how to board a flight that is closed!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Apr 2015
Total posts 12
Now for the supermarkets !!!!!!
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