Airport English Made Easy: 12 Words You’ll Hear on Every Trip

Flying to a far-off destination can be both exciting and stressful, especially during the holiday season. Airports are crowded at this time of the year, and they often come with unfamiliar signs, announcements, and vocabulary. If English isn’t your first language—or if you’re a native speaker who hasn’t flown in a long time—some of these terms might be unfamiliar. It’s better to make sure you know them now, instead of waiting until you’re rushing to catch a flight.

In this article, you will find 12 key airport vocabulary words to help you navigate your trip with ease.

1. Airfare

Meaning: The price of your plane ticket. Airfare can change based on the season, destination, how early you book, and even which travel website you use.

• You can save money on airfare if you buy your ticket several months in advance.
• How much is the airfare from New York to Frankfurt?
• My boss said I should fly first class, but I can’t afford the airfare.

2. Airline

Meaning: A company that owns and operates airplanes.

• Only one airline flies to that part of the country in the wintertime.
• Do you know which airlines have flights to Jakarta?
• I already have an online account with that airline.

3. Baggage Claim

Meaning: The area where passengers pick up their luggage after their plane lands. The suitcases usually arrive on large conveyor belts.

• Excuse me, but can you please tell me where the baggage claim is?
• After everyone in our group gets off the plane, we will meet at the baggage claim.
• Henry waited at the baggage claim for a long time, but he did not see his suitcases.

4. Boarding / To Board

Meaning: The process of letting passengers enter the airplane. Airports usually board by groups or zones.

• Boarding for Flight 101 to Dubai will begin in five minutes.
• While we were boarding the airplane, a toddler started screaming and he didn’t stop until we landed!
• Since Elka uses a wheelchair, she will be allowed to board the plane first.

5. Boarding Pass

Meaning: A document that shows your flight information and lets you enter the plane. You can print it or show it on your phone.

• Use the airline’s app to download your boarding pass.
• Can I print my boarding pass at the airport?
• I will keep my boarding pass in my purse so I don’t lose it.

 

6. Carry-on

Meaning: A small or medium-sized piece of luggage you take with you on the plane. It goes in the overhead bin (see below).

• I crammed all of my clothes into my carry-on luggage.
• I bought a new carry-on bag for my trip to Spain.
• My carry-on is a small bag, but it has many different compartments.

7. Checked Bag

Meaning: A large suitcase that you give to the airline during check-in. It travels in the plane’s cargo hold. After your plane lands, you pick it up at the baggage claim.

• Martha has one checked bag for herself, plus one for her son.
• We’re supposed to put our checked bags on this cart.
• Are you bringing a checked bag, or just a carry-on?

Note: The phrase “checked luggage” is also commonly used. It can be used interchangeably with “checked bag”.

8. Domestic Flight

Meaning: A flight that travels within the same country.

• My parents are taking a domestic flight from Vancouver to Toronto.
• After the conference in Las Vegas, we will take a domestic flight to Dallas.
• This airline only offers domestic flights, not international flights.

9. Gate

Meaning: The waiting area where passengers sit before boarding the plane. Each gate has a number or letter, or sometimes both.

• Do you know which way Gate B21 is?
• The airport has a coffee shop and a restaurant near Gate 17A, so we can grab something to eat before our flight.
• It looks like our flight has been changed to a different gate.

10. ID (Identification)

Meaning: A passport, national ID card, or other official document used to confirm your identity.

• To fly in the United States, you need a REAL ID, a valid passport, or some other federally approved identification.
• Don’t forget to bring your ID to the airport!
• My mom remembers when people didn’t need to show an ID before boarding a plane.

11. Overhead Bin

Meaning: The storage compartment above the seats on an airplane.

• Your carry-on should be small enough to fit completely inside the overhead bin.
• Madison is too short to reach the overhead bin, so she always has to ask someone to help her.
• There was barely any room for Luca’s bag in the overhead bin.

12. Terminal

Meaning: A large building that contains check-in counters, security, restaurants, stores, and gates. Big airports often have multiple terminals.

• We can take the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the main terminal.
• This website has a really good map of the terminal.
• For international flights, we have to go to a different terminal at the other end of the airport.

Being prepared and knowing the right words can turn a stressful airport experience into a smooth one. With these airport vocabulary words, you’ll feel more confident navigating check-in, security, and boarding. And if you ever need help with your English, our TextRanch editors are here to help you write clearly and naturally, no matter where in the world you might be.