How Loud Is an Airplane? Decibel Levels Explained

How Loud Is a Jet Engine?

A commercial jet airplane at takeoff produces between 120 and 140 decibels when measured near the runway. That places it well past the threshold where hearing damage can happen instantly. For comparison, 130 dB is roughly the volume you'd experience standing about 100 feet from a departing jet— loud enough to cause pain and lasting harm within seconds without ear protection.

The noise from a jet comes primarily from the turbofan engines, where high-speed exhaust gases mix violently with the surrounding air. Older aircraft and military jets are considerably louder—a fighter jet on afterburner can exceed 150 dB. Modern commercial aircraft are quieter than earlier generations thanks to high-bypass engines and stricter noise regulations, but they are still among the loudest sounds most people ever encounter.

Remember that the decibel scale is logarithmic. Every 10 dB increase represents a perceived doubling of loudness, so a 140 dB jet is not just “a bit” louder than a 90 dB lawn mower—it's dramatically, exponentially more intense.

Airplane Noise Levels by Location

How loud an airplane sounds depends heavily on where you are. Here's how the levels compare:

• Inside the cabin (cruising): 65–75 dB — similar to a vacuum cleaner or busy restaurant
• Inside the cabin (takeoff): 80–85 dB — about as loud as heavy city traffic
• Airport terminal near the gate: 70–80 dB — comparable to a hair dryer
• Runway ground crew position: 110–120 dB — requires hearing protection at all times
• 100 feet from a jet at takeoff: 130–140 dB — at or near the pain threshold
• Military fighter jet on afterburner: 140–150+ dB — among the loudest man-made sounds

Distance dramatically reduces the noise you experience. This is why people living several miles from an airport hear a manageable 60–70 dB rumble, while ground crew standing beside the aircraft must wear both earplugs and earmuffs to stay safe.

Protecting Your Hearing Around Aircraft

According to OSHA and the CDC, any exposure above 120 dB can cause immediate, permanent hearing damage. Airport and airline ground workers are among the most at-risk occupational groups for noise-induced hearing loss, which is why hearing protection is mandatory on the tarmac. Ground crew typically wear both foam earplugs and over-ear earmuffs—a combination known as dual protection—to bring exposure down to safe levels.

For passengers, cabin noise is not dangerous, but it can be fatiguing over a long flight. Noise-canceling headphones or simple foam earplugs can make the experience far more comfortable, especially for infants and young children whose ears are more sensitive.

If you live near a flight path and want to understand the noise levels affecting your home, a sound level meter can give you an accurate reading to document for noise complaints or to decide on soundproofing measures.

Measure It Yourself

Curious how loud the aircraft over your neighborhood really are? You can use our free online decibel meter to measure noise in real time with just your phone or computer microphone. Compare your readings against our decibel comparison chart to see exactly where airplane noise falls on the loudness spectrum.