Croatia Airlines passengers can now get inflight announcements in 14 languages

Croatia Airlines has launched a new multilingual onboard passenger announcement system across its growing fleet of Airbus A220 single-aisle jets.

The new system offers crews the ability to play passenger messages in 14 different languages, which will be played according to the destination of the flight and the demographic of the passenger complement.

Croatia Airlines introduces multilingual announcements on A220s

As reported by EX-YU Aviation, the new announcement suite includes welcome messages, safety instructions and onboard service information.

The system has been developed as part of the airline’s ongoing fleet modernisation programme and is being rolled out across the carrier’s fleet of A220 narrowbody jets.

Croatia Airlines said that Zagreb-based Jukebox Studio has produced the announcements. However, rather than employing AI software to produce the announcements or use voice actors, the studio recorded the voices of actual Croatia Airlines cabin crew members who are currently employed by the airline.

According to Jukebox Studio, announcements were recorded in 14 different European languages, allowing the airline to tailor onboard communication to specific destinations and passenger profiles.

The language combinations used on each flight will depend on the route being operated and the makeup of passengers on board.

Croatia Airlines continues its A220 fleet expansion plan

The announcements will be rolled out in the coming weeks across the airline’s entire fleet of 11 Airbus A220s, made up of three A220-100s seating 127 passengers and eight A220-300s, which accommodate 150 passengers.

The national carrier is currently replacing its older aircraft with the new-generation A220 as part of one of the largest fleet renewal projects in the company’s history.

The modern aircraft offer improved passenger comfort, greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions, while the new multilingual announcement system aims to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers from around the world.

Other airlines also use multilingual announcements

While the multilingual passenger announcement system is not unique to Croatia Airlines, it is a first for the Zagreb-based carrier, facilitated by the high technology available on board the new aircraft arriving in its fleet.

Many airlines make passenger announcements in more than one language, especially on international routes. While there is no universal rule requiring specific languages, aviation guidance recommends using the airline’s language plus English, and often the destination’s language as well.

Some common examples of airlines using multilingual announcements include Lufthansa (German and English),  Air France (French and English), and KLM (Dutch and English).

In contrast, SWISS uses English plus German or French, depending on the route. Both ANA and Japan Airlines use Japanese and English, while Korean Air uses Korean and English.

Air China uses Mandarin and English as standard, while Emirates uses Arabic and English. Air Canada uses English and French.

In the Far East,  Singapore Airlines uses English and the local language of the destination, while Cathay Pacific uses English, Cantonese, and often Mandarin on certain routes to China.

Some airlines go even further. For example, Pegasus Airlines recently introduced AI-generated announcements in Spanish, Arabic, and Russian in addition to its usual announcements.

Croatia Airlines presses ahead with fleet modernisation plans

Croatia Airlines will take delivery of two additional Airbus A220-300 aircraft this summer. Notably, one of the new aircraft will become the first Airbus A220-300 in the world to be painted in the official Star Alliance livery.

Under alliance guidelines, member airlines are required to dedicate a specified number or percentage of their fleets to the distinctive black-and-white Star Alliance colour scheme.

The incoming aircraft will become the tenth and eleventh A220s in Croatia Airlines’ fleet. The carrier is then expected to receive a further three aircraft by the end of the year, subject to any delivery delays at Airbus, followed by a final aircraft in 2027, completing its transition to an all-A220 fleet.

Featured image: Croatia Airlines