June 20, 2023 by Olga Put Spanish Instruction, Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

The Spanish Airport Vocabulary Guide You Need

Attention passengers!

Studying airport vocabulary is essential if you’re learning Spanish and planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country.

This will not only help you move between airports at ease but also enhance your travel experience and allow better communication with airport personnel.

You might already know how to say airplane in Spanish, but we’ll provide much more in this comprehensive Spanish airport vocabulary guide.

You will learn the essential terms and phrases you need to know to prepare for common travel situations at the airport.

Airports are bustling places with their unique terminology and procedures.

By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll hopefully be better prepared and more confident during your travels.

You will also be able to see and practice airport conversations and see how to ask for things at the airport.

Ready to contribute to your Spanish travel vocabulary knowledge?

Choose the Best Destination to Learn Spanish

Before we dive into Spanish airport vocabulary, let us give you some suggestions about the best travel destinations for travel learners.

In the article 8 Places to Learn Spanish in Costa Rica you can find our recommendations for practicing Spanish in this wonderful country.

12 Coolest Hispanic Holidays You Never Heard Of provides you with amazing alternatives for a typical Spanish vacation.

The Impressive Rise of Latin America’s 6 Largest Cities will instruct you on the amazing Hispanic metropolis that are worth visiting.

10 Most Developed Countries in Central and South America give you more information about Latin American countries that have changed significantly over the last decades.

Join 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today. ➡️

Spanish Airport Vocabulary – Basic Terms and Phrases

Airport terminology is easier to learn when divided into logical sections according to the airport environment and procedures.

So let us guide you:

Check-In and Security

When you arrive at the airport, the check-in process is your first encounter with airport personnel.

Here are some key terms to know:

Spanish Check-In and Security Vocabulary

Spanish	English
el billete de avión	the airplane ticket
el control de seguridad	the security checkpoint
el detector de metales	the metal detector
el equipaje	the luggage
el escáner	the scanner
la facturación	the check-in
el mostrador	the counter
el objeto prohibido	the prohibited item
el pasaporte	the passport
la tarjeta de embarque	the boarding pass

¿Puedo ver su billete de avión?

Can I see your airplane ticket?

Etiquete su equipaje con su nombre y número de teléfono.

Label your luggage with your name and phone number.

Su pasaporte está caducado.

Your passport has expired.

Aquí estan sus tarjetas de embarque.

Here are your boarding passes.

If you want to practice this vocabulary in a fun way, have a look at the Curious George episode in Spanish that happens at the airport: Problema en el aeropuerto (Problems at the Airport).

Boarding and Customs

Once you’ve successfully checked in and passed through security, it’s time to board your flight.

These terms will come in handy:

Spanish Boarding and Customs Vocabulary

Spanish	English
el control de pasaportes	the passport control
la declaración de aduanas	the customs declaration
el equipaje de mano	the carry-on luggage
la migración	the immigration
el número de asiento	the seat number
el pasillo	the aisle (seat)
la puerta de embarque	the boarding gate
la salida de emergencia	the emergency exit
la ventanilla	the window (seat)
el visado	the visa

Tendrá que pasar por el contro de pasaportes.

You will need to pass through the passport control.

Averigua si no tienes que llenar la declaración de aduanas.

Check if you don’t have to fill in the customs declaration.

Su equipaje de mano es demasiado grande.

Your carry-on luggage is too big.

Baggage and Airport Facilities

After you land, you’ll head to the baggage claim area to collect your belongings.

Here is some useful vocabulary:

Spanish Baggae and Airport Facilities Vocabulary

Spanish	English
los baños	the restrooms
la cafetería	the café
el carrito	the trolley
la cinta de equipaje	the baggage belt
la maleta	the suitcase
el mostrador de renta de carros	the car rental desk
la oficina de información	the information desk
la sala de espera	the waiting area
la tienda libre de impuestos	the duty-free shop
la zona de recogida de equipaje	the baggage claim area

¿Dónde están los baños?

Where are the bathrooms?

La sala de espera no es muy cómoda.

The waiting area isn’t too comfortable.

Nos cambiaron la cinta de equipaje.

They changed our baggage belt.

The Airport Personnel

It’s also useful to know the Spanish names of the airport personnel you may meet during your travel.

Spanish Airport Personnel Vocabulary

Spanish	English
el capitán/la capitana	the captain
el controlador/la controladora de tráfico aéreo	the air traffic controler
el/la copiloto	the co-pilot
el/la oficial de aduanas	the customs officer
el/la oficial de inmigración	the immigration officer
el/la oficial de seguridad	the security officer
el /la piloto	the pilot
el/la sobrecargo	the flight attendant

If you want to read in Spanish about the roles of airport personnel, check out the European Flyers website.

Interacting with Airport Personnel

It’s also helpful to have a basic understanding of common phrases and expressions that will help you communicate effectively with airport personnel.

Here are a few examples:

¿Dónde está el mostrador de facturación?

Where is the check-in counter?

¿Cuál es la puerta de embarque?

What is the boarding gate?

¿A qué hora sale el vuelo?

What time does the plane depart?

No encuentro mi equipaje.

I can’t find my luggage.

¿Dónde puedo encontrar un carrito?

Where can I get a trolley?

¿Cuánto cuesta rentar un carro?

How much is it to rent a car?

Spanish Airport Dialogues

And now, let’s have a look at some sample airport dialogues to help you use adequate Spanish vocabulary and phrases in context.

Dialogue 1

-Disculpe, ¿dónde está el mostrador de facturación?

-Está en la planta baja a la derecha.

-Muchas gracias.

-Excuse me, where is the check-in counter?

-It’s on the ground floor to the right.

-Thank you very much.

Dialogue 2

-¿Cuál es la puerta de embarque para el vuelo 123?

-Es la puerta número 5

-Perfecto, gracias.

-What is the boarding gate for flight 123?

-It’s gate number 5.

-Perfect, thank you.

Dialogue 3

-Buenos días no encuentro mi equipaje.

-Por favor, diríjase al mostrador de objetos perdidos para hacer presentar un reclamo.

-De acuerdo, muchas gracias.

-Good morning, I can’t find my luggage.

-Please go to the lost and found counter to file a claim.

-Alright, thank you very much.

Now you’re ready!

If you want to practice more, check out the website of the airport in Mexico City, you’ll find lots of vocabulary that you already know and plenty of new ones.

Get Ready for Takeoff!

I’m sure that now you feel better prepared to navigate the airport environment in Spanish and handle check-in, security, boarding, customs, baggage, and other airport-related situations.

Are you ready to take our Spanish language skills to the next level?

Start your language journey today and sign up for a free trial Spanish class at HSA!

Practice your airport vocabulary with experienced native Spanish teachers. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your travel experience.

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

Author
Recent Posts

Olga Put

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I'm a Spanish philologist, teacher, and freelance writer with a Master's degree in Humanities from Madrid. I speak Polish, Spanish, and English fluently, and want to get better in Portuguese and German. A lover of literature, and Mexican spicy cuisine, I've lived in Poland, Spain, and Mexico and I'm currently living and teaching in Madeira, Portugal.