International ATC, Do they Speak English?

Question

I would think there would have to be a standarized language with all the airlines coming from all over the world

Answer 1

It's been my experience that, in theory, English is supposed to be understood by ATC. I did have to have a factory rep come into the cockpit to translate a clearance in Brazil once.

Answer 2

By treaty, English is the international language of Air Traffic Control.  Once in a while, you will hear something strange, but I have never heard of anyone having any real problems with language.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

They are supposed to.  English IS the international language of air transportation.  All international pilots must be able to read and speak English.

Answer 5

Sort of.  Yes, ATC communication is in English, but not always understandable English.   Most controllers speak in their native language to local traffic, but all pilots and controllers must be able to speak English.

I have had to use creative methods to try to understand controllers when traveling internationally.  When all else fails, just repeat, only slower and louder.  That seems to work in any language!

<edit>: To their credit, every controller I have spoken to knows English WAY better than I know Spanish/French/Portuguese or whatever happens to be their native language.