English at the airport: from check-in to the gate

At the airport, a few basic words cover most situations: passport, ticket, boarding pass, luggage, gate, and flight. The staff's questions are usually short, so recognising these words and giving short answers like “Here you are.” is enough.

Check-in

The agent may ask “Can I see your passport, please?” or “Are you checking in any bags?” Answers: “Here you are.”, “Yes, one suitcase.”, “No, just hand luggage.” To ask for a seat: “Could I have a window seat, please?” or “an aisle seat”.

Security and the gate

Common instructions at security: “Please put your bag on the belt.”, “Take out your laptop.”, “Walk through, please.” To find your gate: “Excuse me, where is gate 12?” It helps to recognise “Boarding”, “Delayed”, and “Cancelled” on the screens.

Baggage claim and problems

The area where you collect your bags is “baggage claim”. If your suitcase doesn't arrive: “My suitcase didn't arrive.” If you miss your flight: “I missed my flight. What can I do?” If you don't understand: “Sorry, could you say that again more slowly?”

A short exercise

Act out a trip from start to finish: write three questions from the check-in agent and your answers, then add one sentence to ask for your gate and one to ask about a delay. Say the sentences out loud to practise.

To keep going, see Directions and transport in English: asking the way and English at the hotel: check-in, requests, and check-out.

Frequently asked questions

What is a boarding pass? The card you get after check-in and show to board the plane; it can be on paper or on your phone.

What should I say if I don't understand the staff? “Sorry, could you say that again more slowly?” is enough; most airport questions are short and repeated.