Danish airline uses local dialect for in-flight safety briefings

A Danish regional airline has begun delivering pre-flight safety instructions in the Bornholm dialect to highlight its connection to the island, reports DR.

Passengers boarding DAT flights from Bornholm Airport now hear the standard safety briefing—covering life vests and emergency exits—spoken in the distinct local accent. The airline’s marketing chief, Ann Hartl, described the move as “a friendly nod to the island’s language and people.”

“We want to make it clear where our flights start and end,” Hartl said, noting that the company has operated routes to and from Rønne since 2012 under the name Bornholmerflyet (The Bornholm Plane).

The voice behind the briefing is Lars Christiansen, a retired teacher and longtime writer for Allinge’s local revue. While the instructions are delivered in broad Bornholm dialect—where the word for “plane” becomes fløjer—both Christiansen and Hartl insist the message remains easily understandable.

“When someone speaks Bornholm dialect, I always say yes—I can follow it,” Christiansen said. Hartl added that the unfamiliar tone might even encourage passengers to pay closer attention: “I think people listen better because it sounds different from the usual.”

The airline has previously used local dialects for safety announcements on select Norwegian routes as well.