Airports And English Signage: A Universal Standard?

Airports are designed to be easy to navigate, even for those who don't speak the local language. Most countries have signs in English and English-speaking staff, and some airports have signs in several languages. For example, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has signs in Dutch, English, and other languages. Similarly, Barcelona offers signs in Catalan, English, and Spanish, while Brussels Airport has signs in Dutch, French, German, and English. In the United States, some airports have signs in English and Spanish, while others are English-only. In Canada, all airports have English and French signage. In the United Kingdom, airports generally use English-only signage. Overall, while there is no standardized procedure, airports typically provide multilingual signage and staff to assist travellers who don't speak the local language.

Airports with English as a primary language

English is the primary language of aviation, and it is used in airports all over the world. This is because, historically, aviation was pursued by western nations where English was already commonly spoken and understood. As the skies became busier, the need for a common language for safety and communication reasons became more pressing. In 1951, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended English as the exclusive language for radio communications in the airline industry. This facilitated the widespread usage of the ICAO phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie, etc.) and universal understanding of emergency terms such as "Mayday".

English is also the primary lingua franca in Europe, and in nearly every context related to international travel, signs and announcements are in English in addition to the local language. Staff at international airports are also required to be able to speak at least basic English. For example, in France, announcements at airports are typically made in French, English, and sometimes a third language. Similarly, in China, while signage may be in Chinese, flight numbers and city names are usually displayed in English.

However, it is important to note that there are variations of English around the world, and Aviation English has many expressions and idioms exclusive to it. For example, "Roger" means "message received", and "Wilco" means "I will comply".

Airports with English as a secondary language

English is the primary language of aviation, and it is globally extended that English is the second language for signage in airports where English is not the first language. However, many airports around the world use additional languages on their signage.

For example, in Spain, many airports have signage in German and the regional language, in addition to Spanish. This means that in Mallorca, signage is in four languages: Spanish, Catalan, English, and German. In Barcelona, signs are in three languages: Catalan, English, and Spanish. In Bilbao, signs are in Spanish, Basque, and English.

In Helsinki, Finland, all signs are in Finnish, Swedish (the country's other official language), and English. Some signs are also in Chinese, Japanese, and Russian due to a large number of transferring passengers. Prague Airport in the Czech Republic also has signage in Korean, likely for transit passengers using flights between Prague and Seoul.

In the United States, some airports are English-only, while many others are bilingual, with English and Spanish. For example, Detroit Metropolitan Airport has Chinese and Japanese in addition to English due to many Asia-bound flights. Miami International Airport is bilingual in English and Spanish, and some staff members may not speak English very well. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York also has signs in English and Spanish.

In Canada, all airports have English and French signage. Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia may have signage in Chinese as well. Toronto Pearson International Airport has signage in English and French, and staff members are likely to speak various world languages.

In Mexico, Mexico City International Airport and Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica have signage in Spanish and English.

In the United Kingdom, airports generally only have signage in English. However, London Heathrow Airport has Chinese and Japanese in addition to English.

In Belgium, Brussels Airport, located in the Flemish region, has signage in English, Dutch, French, and German.

In France, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Orly Airport have announcements in French and English, and staff members generally speak English.

In Germany, Stuttgart Airport has signage in German, English, and Turkish. Frankfurt Airport has signage in German and English.

In Australia, Melbourne Airport has all signage in the international terminal in English and Mandarin.

In New Zealand, Auckland Airport has signs in English and Te Reo Māori.

In Singapore, Singapore Changi Airport has signs in English, Malay, Mandarin, and Japanese. These four languages are Singapore's official languages, with English being the first language.

In Brazil, airports have signage in Portuguese and English, and possibly Spanish at São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport.

In India, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, and likely all other Indian airports, have signs in the native language (Kannada), the national language (Hindi), and English.

Airports with multilingual signage

Airports are complex wayfinding locations, and designers face the challenge of catering to a wide variety of languages and cultures. Heathrow Airport in London, for example, services over 200,000 passengers each day, speaking over 100 languages.

Airports generally use bilingual or multilingual signage, with the local language and English. However, there are significant variations between countries. For instance, in multilingual countries such as Belgium and Switzerland, airport signage is often in three or four languages. On the other hand, some airports like Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, primarily used by international travellers, opt for monolingual English signs.

Colour-coding is a useful way to differentiate between languages on signage. For example, Bristol Airport uses colour-coded parking areas to help passengers find relevant information quickly and remember where they parked their cars. Digital signage is another method to provide targeted wayfinding information to specific passengers. For instance, an airport can display wayfinding directions in Italian for passengers arriving from Italy.

Icons and pictographs are also essential for reducing language issues, provided they are internationally recognised. For instance, the traditional man, woman, and wheelchair symbols are used to indicate toilets. However, designers should avoid creating new icons that may not be clear to all users.

Some countries use bilingual signs to signal a willingness to accommodate all citizens equally. For instance, in Belgium, where Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities coexist, street signs in the Brussels-Capital Region are bilingual in Dutch and French. Similarly, in Canada, the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick provide bilingual English and French signage, even though French is the only official language in Quebec.

In the United States, the TRANSLATE Act directs the TSA to make airport signage more accessible to people who aren't fluent in English and those with hearing and visual impairments. While the act does not specify how to make signage more inclusive, one example is Frankfurt Airport, which has signage in German and English and a mobile app that translates signs into Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.

Airports with pictograms and symbols

Airports can be confusing places, especially for travellers who do not speak the local language. To help with this, airports often use pictograms and symbols on their signs. These pictograms are designed to convey information to travellers without the use of words, making them easier to identify than text.

The DOT pictograms, for example, are a set of 50 pictograms that are commonly used in airports, train stations, hotels, and other public places. They were developed in the 1970s by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, in collaboration with Roger Cook and Don Shanosky of Cook and Shanosky Associates. These pictograms include graphics representing toilets, telephones, and other amenities. Due to their near-universal acceptance, they are sometimes referred to as the "Helvetica" of pictograms.

Another commonly used set of symbols is the AIGA symbol signs. These are often used in airports, train stations, bus depots, malls, and office buildings. There are 50 AIGA symbols in total, covering a range of facilities and services commonly found in airports, such as currency exchange, car rental, baggage check, and departing flights. These symbols are free to use and are designed to be easily understood by people from different linguistic backgrounds.

The use of pictograms and symbols in airports is essential for effective wayfinding and communication. They help travellers navigate their way through the airport, locate important facilities, and understand key information, regardless of the language they speak. This is particularly important in international airports, where travellers from all over the world converge.

In addition to pictograms and symbols, airports also employ other design strategies to aid communication and wayfinding. For example, all pictograms are designed on a grid to ensure they have the same visual style, with consistent roundings, lines, and heights. This uniformity helps travellers quickly identify and interpret the information conveyed by the signs.

Overall, the use of pictograms and symbols in airports plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for travellers, especially those who do not speak the local language. By using universally recognised graphics and symbols, airports can effectively communicate essential information to a diverse range of travellers.

Airports with audio announcements

Audio announcements in airports are a common feature and many airports and airlines now use automated systems for this. These systems can be used for terminal-wide announcements, dynamic and flight-related messages, and static safety and security information.

Automated systems can deliver announcements in 35+ native languages and dialects, reducing stress for passengers and staff, improving compliance and flow, and increasing on-time departures. This is especially useful in large airports with a high number of daily flights, where manual announcements may be difficult to manage.

While some airports have adopted a ''silent airport' policy, this does not compromise on passenger information, as clear and grammatically correct automated announcements in multiple languages can be utilised.

In addition to audio announcements, visual information is also crucial in airports. Information screens and clear, standardised signage, often in multiple languages, are used to communicate essential details to passengers. This is particularly relevant for those who may have hearing impairments or difficulties understanding spoken announcements due to background noise or language barriers.

Overall, audio announcements in airports, supported by visual displays, are designed to enhance the passenger experience, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with international guidelines.

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