Pan Pan Pan

“Pan Pan Pan!” –

The Slightly Less Dramatic SOS

If you’ve ever heard “Pan Pan Pan” on a radio or in a dramatic aviation movie (with violins in the background), don’t panic — but maybe… pay attention.

While it sounds like someone forgot to turn off the stove three times, “Pan Pan” is actually a real and very serious aviation (and maritime) emergency call.

But wait — isn’t it supposed to be “Mayday”?

Yes — and we’ll get to that. Buckle up. Tray tables up. Let’s fly through this.

What Does “Pan Pan Pan” Mean?

In aviation and maritime lingo, “Pan Pan” is the international radiotelephony signal for a state of urgency — serious but not immediately life-threatening.

Say it three times (like Beetlejuice, but with more protocol):

“Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan.”

This tells air traffic control or nearby ships/aircraft:

📢 “Hey, I’ve got a problem. It’s not mayday level… but let’s not ignore it either.”

Pan Pan vs. Mayday: The Drama Scale

Here’s how to tell the difference:

Emergency Level Phrase Used Real-World Example

🚨 Critical Danger Mayday Engine fire, sinking ship, severe trauma

⚠️ Urgent Problem Pan Pan Minor engine trouble, low fuel, sick passenger, radio failure

Think of it this way:

Mayday = “I NEED HELP RIGHT NOW OR THIS ENDS BADLY.”

Pan Pan = “Houston, we might have a problem... but we’re still chill (ish).”

Origin Story: Because Of Course It’s French

“Pan” comes from the French word “panne”, meaning breakdown or failure — which makes perfect sense, since most pan pan calls involve something not working the way it should (engine, communication, the pilot’s coffee machine, etc.).

And no, it has nothing to do with frying pans, Peter Pan, or pandas. Though wouldn’t that make it more fun?

When Would a Pilot Use Pan Pan?

Some real-life scenarios where “Pan Pan” gets called out:

One engine down, but still flying safely.

Medical emergency onboard, but under control.

Radio malfunction — can’t talk, but can still fly.

Running low on fuel but not critical (yet…).

A bird hits the plane (thanks, nature), but no major damage.

Basically: “We’re not crashing, but don’t go anywhere.”

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Pan Pan in Pop Culture? Not Really… Yet

Let’s be honest — it’s way less dramatic than “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY!”

Which is probably why Hollywood doesn’t use it.

You never hear Tom Cruise shout “PAN PAN PAN!” before saving the day.

But in real life, Pan Pan is often the first sign that something might be going sideways — and a heads-up can save lives.

So maybe it deserves a little movie love too.

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Final Thoughts: Stay Calm, It's Just Pan Pan

If you’re ever on a flight and you hear “Pan Pan”, here’s what to do:

👉 Stay calm.

👉 Listen to the crew.

👉 And remember — they’ve got this.

Because “Pan Pan Pan” isn’t a cry of doom.

It’s just the aviation equivalent of:

“Hey… things are a bit weird right now. But we’re working on it.”