BA operated used to be a mandatory part of the flight crew welcome PA, but was removed in an update to our manuals. A lot of pilots still include it out of habit - along with this is a non-smoking flight and telling everyone to watch the safety demo, which were removed as these points are repeated by the cabin crew.

Personally, when traveling as a passenger I prefer the concise approach taken on my last Spirit flight in the US:

”Mornin’ folks, Captain speaking, hour and a half enroute, should be a smooth ride. Welcome aboard”

In answer to the original post, cabin crew PAs are scripted and should be delivered as written - there used to be a little booklet, it’s on the iPad now. Pilot PAs are not scripted but do have mandated elements, these have changed over the years and reduced but most pilots have a “normal” welcome aboard script in their heads and a short one, depending on how much time there is and what else is going on. As such they can sound a little formulaic or like we are playing buzzword bingo.

The difficult ones ones to deliver are when things are going awry, either with the aircraft or the operation. In these cases there is no script and so the level of umming are arrrring increases. Pilots talking to other pilots will also use phrases that might scare the pants off passengers so are best avoided, as is general techno speak, that can make the PA sound a little stilted. Bad news, should be honest open and updated regularly. So if there is a delay, tell the passengers what the delay is, if it is likely to change and tell them you will update them in xxx minutes - even if the update is just to say ther has been no change. Standing in the front cabin talking face to face to the passengers can be a useful tool. Rather than a disembodied voice delivering bad news, you get to look at people directly, obviously that is an on the ground only option.

Humour is is a dangerous area, while some people may like your sense of humour many may not understand or appreciate it or it can lead to misunderstanding. Unless a pilot is a natural wit and raconteur, humour is probably best avoided.

A number of years ago, leaving San Antonio, first flight of the day for that Southwest aircraft. Apparently outside of plane had been cleaned overnight and pilot discovers someone had forgotten to sign off on a safety inspection. That someone was still home, as.eep and had to get up and get himself to the airport. Pilot was obviously livid.

He announced, " Ladies and Gentleman Southwest is working on getting new connections for those who will miss theirs. ( for those who don't know, when you fly Southwest it is usually multiple short flight) But , for those of you going to City X ( I forget where), I assure you, your plane will be held until you arrive...long pause... I'm scheduled to be your pilot on that too!