The Importance of English on Board

Every pilot knows - or at least he/she should know - the importance of English and its correct usage before, during and after flight. Not only must pilots meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements, but cabin crew as well. When a passenger gets on a plane he/she wants to be well served, welcomed as a unique person and, mainly, realize the ones who are handling the flight process have the makings of a pilot, air host/hostess, etc. In other words, passengers wonder whether the airline meets quality requirements in every aspect - from the pilot/co-pilot to the cabin crew.

Now, try to imagine you as a foreigner coming to visit Brazil for the first time and by the time you first get a connecting flight you find yourself listening to this quality of English in the video below.

Did you understand it? What would you think of this airline? Would you think this airline cabin crew have participated in any English training program?  Would you be confident in this airline and its crew?

Well, we are (not) saying this airline does not have a well-qualified English training program, but how can a foreign passenger understand and be confident in an airline where English is not well spoken by its cabin crew? 

As you can see, not only is English important to pilots and air traffic control officers (ATCOs), but also to cabin crew and ground personnel. If pilots, air traffic control officers, cabin crews and ground personnels keep taking English for granted, it might be - at least - embarrassing to an airline get to know people are poking fun of it.