How to Check In at an Airport and Answer Security Questions in English

Learn the English phrases you need to check in at an airport in this video, including security questions and how to answer them.

We made this video with our friend Rachel of Rachel’s English. She has a terrific website and YouTube channel on American English pronunciation.  

Click here to find lots more practical videos for everyday situations.
Click here to learn how to use the words Travel, Trip and Journey.

Airport Check in English Video Script

This bag’s too big for carry on
Well yes.
Where’s the check in desk?
I think we have to use the machines.
The machines? I hate the machines.
It’s not working
Let’s go to the check in desk.

We’re going flying in today’s lesson and we have a very special guest. Rachel of the wonderfulo Rachel’s English channel is here to help us. If you haven’t subscribed to Rachel’s YouTube channel yet, do it right away. It’s the best place to improve your pronunciation. OK, let’s check in for our flight.

Good afternoon
Hi. Hi, we need to check in.
The machine didn’t recognize my passport.
I can help. Where are you flying to today?
Rio Recife
We’re flying to Rio and then we have a connecting flight to Recife.
What are you looking for?
My reading glasses.
They’re on your head.
Oh. I had a bottle of water.
I threw that away. Why? You can’t take liquids on the plane.
Are you checking any bags?
Yes, just one
Can you put it on the scale?
Sure. Did you pack my gloves?
Gloves?
Well it could be cold.
No, it’s summer in Recife.
Oh, of course. Can you check our bag through to Recife?
No, I can’t. You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
And then we have to check it in again for Recife?
That’s right
How much time do we have? How long is our layover?
About two and a half hours.
That’s plenty of time.
I need to ask you some security questions. Who packed your bags?
Me. Me. We both did
When did you pack it?
Last night.
And has it been with you since you packed it?
Yes. Yes.
And are you carrying anything for anybody else?
No. No.
Great. Here are your boarding passes. Thank you.
Your flight leaves from gate 19 and boarding begins at 11:20.
11.20. Yes. Your seat numbers are 16E and 16F.
Do we have an aisle seat?
Yes, you have an aisle seat and a middle seat.
And how do we get to the gate?
You follow the signs to Departures
OK. Thank you very much.
Have a great trip. We will.
I’ve got another security question.
What?
Did we lock the front door?

Let’s look at some language again. Passengers often check in at machines that print their boarding passes – the document they need to get on a flight.
Passengers can take small bags onto the plane with them as carryon luggage – but not big ones.

This bag’s too big for carry on. Well yes.

Large bags must be checked in.

Are you checking any bags?
Yes, just one
Can you put it on the scale?
Sure.

Bags are usually checked through to the final destination, but not always.

Can you check our bags through to Recife?
No, I can’t. You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
And then we have to check it in again for Recife?
That’s right

We had connecting flights with a layover. A layover is a short stay between parts of a journey.

How much time do we have? How long is our layover?
About two and a half hours.
That’s plenty of time.

The check in clerk asks security questions. They could be WH- questions, so questions that begin with words like these.

I need to ask you some security questions. Who packed your bag?
Me. Me.

Who packed your bag?
When did you pack it?
Where was it packed?

Other times they ask questions you need to answer yes or no.

Has your bag been with you since you packed it?
Yes
Are you carrying anything for anyone else?
No.

Listen carefully. Here are some more questions you’ll need to answer ‘no’.

Has your bag been out of your sight at any time?
Does it contain any prohibited or dangerous articles?
Are you carrying anything for anyone else?
Has anyone given you anything to carry for them on this flight?

She told us the gate number. A gate is the place where passengers wait to get on their flight.

Your flight leaves from gate 19 and boarding begins at 11:20.

The boarding time is the time passengers start getting onto the plane.

Do we have an aisle seat?
Yes, you have an aisle seat and a middle seat.

We will have an aisle seat and a middle seat. We won’t have a window seat. But first we need to go to departures.

And how do we get to the gate?
You follow the signs to Departures
OK. Thank you very much.
Have a great trip.
We will.

And that’s it. Now you’re ready for your flight!
Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel and to Rachel’s channel too. Together we’re going to help your English take off.

Click here to find lots more practical videos for everyday situations.
Click here to learn how to use the words Travel, Trip and Journey.