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French Airport Vocabulary & Phrases

If you’re flying to France you’ll know that going through the airport and getting on the airplane can be a huge ordeal. This page will help you to get ready. Here you’ll find a list of French airport vocabulary and phrases. You’ll also find translations of all the airport signs. Bon vol! Enjoy your flight!

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French airport phrases

  • Is there a flight to Marseille? Est-ce qu’il y a un vol pour Marseille?
  • Is it a direct flight? Est-ce que c’est un vol direct?
  • Which airline do you prefer? Quelle compagnie aérienne préférez-vous?
  • Must I make a layover? Dois-je faire escale?
  • Do I have to change planes? Est-ce que je dois changer d’avion?
  • Where do I make a connection? Où est-ce que je fais correspondance?
  • We’d like one ticket or Paris. Nous voudrions un billet pour Paris.
  • I’d like one ticket for Geneva. Je voudrais un billet pour Genève.
  • One-way/roundtrip ticket un billet aller/aller-retour
  • When does the plane leave? A quelle heure est-ce que l’avion part?
  • When does the plane arrive? A quelle heure est-ce que l’avion arrive?
  • What time is check-in? A quelle heure est l’enregistrement?
  • What’s my flight number? Quel est mon numéro de vol?
  • I’d like to reserve a seat on flight . Je voudais réserver une place sur vol .
  • I have checked bags. J’ai des bagages enregistrés.
  • I have some carry-on bags. J’ai des bagages à main.

French airport vocabulary

  • airport un aéroport
  • airline une compagnie aérienne
  • luggage les bagages
  • airplane ticket un billet d’avion
  • baggage cart un chariot
  • one-way ticket un billet simple
  • round-trip ticket un billet aller-retour
  • early en avance
  • late en retard
  • on time à l’heure
  • boarding pass une carte d’embarquement
  • economy class la classe économique, la classe éco (slang)
  • business class la classe affaires
  • first class la première classe

In the airplane

  • flight attendant le steward, l’hôtesse de l’air
  • baggage compartment le casier à bagages
  • air vent le ventilateur
  • reading light la liseuse
  • row la rangée
  • aisle le couloir
  • table tray la tablette
  • armrest l’accoudoir
  • carry-on bags les bagages à main
  • safety belt la ceinture de sécurité
  • window seat la place côté fenêtre
  • aisle seat une place côté couloir
  • emergency exit l’issue de secours, la sortie de secours
  • seat number le numéro de siège
  • time difference le décalage horaire
  • barf bag le sac vomitoire
  • life jacket le gilet de sauvetage
  • air sickness le mal de transport
  • pillow un oreiller
  • blanket la couverture

Signs in the airport

  • Check-In Enregistrement
  • Departure Lounge Salle D’Embarquement
  • Terminal Aérogare
  • Weigh Baggage Poids des Baggages
  • Customs Douane
  • Arrivals Arrivées
  • Departures Départs
  • Immigration Immigration
  • Security Check Contrôle de Sécurité
  • Transfers Correspondances
  • Duty-Free Shop une Boutique Hors Taxes
  • Car Rental Voitures de Location
  • Railway Station Gare SNCF
  • Paris By Train Paris Par Train
  • Gates Portes
  • Shuttles Navettes
  • Baggage Claim Livraison Des Bagages
  • Exit Sortie

Verbs for flying

  • to land atterirL’avion arrerit. The plane is landing.
  • to take off décolerL’avion décole. The plane is taking off.
  • to fly volerL’avion vole dans le ciel. The plane is flying in the sky.
  • to change changerJe change d’avion. I change planes.
  • to cancel annulerJ’annule mon vol. I cancel my flight.
  • to confirm confirmer Je confirme mon vol. I confirm my flight.
  • to vomit vomir Je vomis dans l’avion. I vomit in the plane.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

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