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Travelling through an airport in English can be stressful.
What should you say at check-in? What will the security officer ask you? And how do you find the right boarding gate?
In this beginner English lesson, you’ll learn the most useful airport words, questions and phrases, with simple answers you can use when you travel.
This lesson is ideal for A1–A2 English learners.
You can practise all of this with me in this video.
#1 Checking In
When you arrive at the airport, you may need to go to the check-in counter to check in and leave your suitcase.
Useful words
- To check in (v.)
- A passport (n.)
- A boarding pass (n.)
- A suitcase (n.)
- The scales (n.)
- A bag drop (n.)
What you may hear
Where are you flying to?
→ I’m flying to [Madrid].
Can I see your passport, please?
→ Yes. Here you are.
Do you have any bags to check in?
→ Yes. I have one suitcase.
Please put your suitcase on the scales.
→ Okay.
Here is your boarding pass.
→ Thank you.
Useful phrases you can say
- I’d like to check in, please.
- Where is the bag drop?
- I’m flying to Madrid.
- I have one suitcase.
- Here you are.
- Thank you.
#2 Going Through Security
After checking in, you need to go through airport security.
You usually put your bag and other things into a tray before walking through the security scanner.
Useful words
- Security (n.)
- A tray (n.)
- A laptop (n.)
- A phone (n.)
- A jacket (n.)
- A belt (n.)
What you may hear
Please put your bag in the tray.
→ Okay.
Do you have a laptop?
→ Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
Please take it out of your bag.
→ Okay.
Please take off your jacket and belt.
→ Okay.
Walk through, please.
→ Thank you.
Useful phrases you can say
- What about my phone?
- Where do I put this?
- Can I go through now?
- Thank you.
#3 At Duty Free
After security, you may have time to visit the duty-free shops.
You can buy perfume, cosmetics, food, gifts and other things.
Useful words
- Duty free (n.)
- Perfume (n.)
- An offer (n.)
- A boarding pass (n.)
- A credit card (n.)
- A bag (n.)
What you may hear
Would you like to try this perfume?
→ Yes, please. / No, thank you.
We have an offer on today.
→ Okay.
Anything else?
→ No, thank you.
Can I see your boarding pass, please?
→ Yes. Here you are.
Would you like a bag?
→ Yes, please. / No, thank you.
Useful phrases you can say
- How much is it?
- I’ll take it.
- Can I pay by card?
#4 At the Boarding Gate
The last step is to find your boarding gate.
Check the airport information screens to find your flight and gate number.
Useful words
- A gate (n.)
- A flight (n.)
- To board (v.)
- A boarding pass (n.)
- A passport (n.)
What you may hear
We’re boarding now.
→ Okay.
Boarding starts in ten minutes.
→ Okay. Thank you.
Can I see your passport and boarding pass, please?
→ Yes. Here you are.
You can board now.
→ Thank you.
Go straight ahead.
→ Thank you.
Useful phrases you can say
- Excuse me. Is this the gate for [Madrid]?
- Are you boarding now?
- What time does boarding start?
- Which way do I go?
- Thank you.
Useful English Anywhere in the Airport
You don’t need to learn a different phrase for every possible situation.
There are some simple phrases that can help you almost anywhere in the airport.
When you don't understand
- Sorry?
- Can you say that again, please?
- What does that mean?
When you need help
- Excuse me. Can you help me?
- Where is Gate C12?
- Where are the toilets?
- Which way do I go?
These simple phrases are worth practising. At beginner level, being able to use a few useful phrases quickly and confidently can be more helpful than trying to remember lots of complicated English.
10 Essential Airport Phrases to Remember
If you don’t want to learn everything at once, start with these:
- I’d like to check in, please.
- I’m flying to [Madrid].
- I have one suitcase.
- Where do I put this?
- How much is it?
- I’ll take it.
- Can I pay by card?
- Is this the gate for Madrid?
- Are you boarding now?
- Which way do I go?
Don’t try to memorise all 10 at the same time.
Choose three or four. Say them aloud several times. Then imagine yourself at the airport using them.
FAQs
You can say, “I'd like to check in, please.” The assistant may ask where you're flying to and if you have any bags to check in.
You can say, “Excuse me. Where is Gate C12?” or “Is this the gate for ______?”
Boarding means passengers can start getting onto the plane.
Continue learning with the English Made Simple Podcast.
Ideal for beginner English learners.
Each episode teaches practical English for everyday life through simple conversations and repetition.
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