Airport Check-in Vocabulary 1

Vocabulary practice for airport and airline check-in workers — the essential English of passenger services.

Vocabulary in context

Airport check-in is a high-pressure environment where clear English can prevent a missed flight, a lost bag, or a serious security issue — and where vague English can do the opposite. The vocabulary in this exercise covers the specific language of passenger check-in: the terms for documents, baggage allowances, seat assignments, boarding procedures, and the careful phrasing that keeps a long queue moving without confusion. Airline check-in staff also deal with the emotional extremes of travel — the panicked late arrival, the family with too much luggage, the passenger whose name doesn't match their ticket — and the English for those situations needs to be as clear under pressure as it is in routine interactions.

Ready to practice? Let's go!

Fill in each blank with the correct word. If both words can be used, choose the one that sounds more natural in each situation.

1. How many (pieces/number) of luggage do you have?

2. The check-in doesn't start (for/until) another two hours.

3. So, you (missed/passed) your connecting flight because of the delay.

4. Since it was the airline's (fault/fall), we'll pay for your hotel and re-book your flight for tomorrow.

5. If you (cancellation/cancel) this ticket, you'll lose all your money. There is no refund for this type of ticket.

6. There's a special (shutter/shuttle) bus that goes/runs between Heathrow and Gatwick.

7. Are you traveling (alone/lonely)? ( = by yourself)

8. The flight will be (boarding/boring) at (departure) gate 55.

9. There's an (overnight/reserved) flight that arrives in Vancouver at 8:00 AM.

10. What name was the reservation (under/over)?

11. Do you have any (hand/arm) luggage? ( = carry-on luggage)

12. That's a little too big to carry on the plane. You'll have to (give/check) it.

13. You flight (gets/makes) in ( = arrives) at 7:00 PM.

14. Next in (line/line-up), please.

15. I'm going have to charge you for the (extra/extroverted) ( = additional) bag.

16. Would you like a window seat or an (aisle/average) seat?

17. Baggage that's over the allowed limit = (Excess/Access) baggage

18. You should arrive at the gate no (later/late) than one hour before your flight.

19. I'm sorry. Your flight has been (cancelled/cancellation/cancel) because of bad weather.

20. Do you have your passport, or some other (form/format) of identification.

21. You'll have to show the border guard your ticket and your (board/boarding) pass.

22. Did your flight arrive late? No, it actually arrived (ahead/front) of schedule. ( = earlier than expected)

23. Because of the inconvenience, I'm going to (upgrade/upend) ( = bump up) your ticket to first class.

24. How do you (spelling/spell) your name?

25. I'm going to have to (consult/console) ( = discuss this) with my manager.

26. Did you check the lost and (found/find) to see if your bags are there?

27. Don't worry. Lost bags usually (show/shake) up (= appear) within 24 hours.

28. If someone or something is "behind schedule", it is (late/early).

29. The flight will be leaving on (hour/timetable/time). ( = there won't be a delay)

30. You'll have to (hurry/fast) - They're almost finished boarding!