CEFR A1-A2
French Airport Phrases: Check-in, Security, Boarding and Baggage
Paris Charles de Gaulle and most other major francophone international airports run check-in in English by default, but smaller airports (Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice domestic, regional airports across francophone Africa) often default to French. These phrases get you through the standard sequence and handle the awkward cases (lost luggage, missed connections, transit).
I am checking in for the [destination] flight.
enregistrer [destination].
IPA /ʒə vudʁɛ ɑ̃ʁəʒistʁe puʁ lə vɔl puʁ/
zhuh voo-DRAY ahn-reh-zhee-STRAY poor luh VOHL poor ...
'Enregistrer' is the standard French verb for check-in.
I would like a window seat, please.
hublot, ' .
IPA /ʒə vudʁɛ yn plas kote yblo sil vu plɛ/
zhuh voo-DRAY oon plahss KOH-tay oo-BLOH seel voo PLAY
Aisle seat = 'cote couloir'. The 'cote' (side) construction is standard.
How many bags can I check in?
bagages enregistrer ?
IPA /kɔ̃bjɛ̃ də baɡaʒ ʒə pø ɑ̃ʁəʒistʁe/
kohm-bee-AHN duh bah-GAHZH zhuh puh ahn-reh-zhee-STRAY
Where is the boarding gate?
'embarquement ?
IPA /u ɛ la pɔʁt dɑ̃baʁkəmɑ̃/
OO ay la PORT dahm-BARK-mahn
'Porte' literally means door.
Is the flight on time?
l' ?
IPA /lə vɔl ɛ a lœʁ/
luh VOHL ay ah LURR
Delayed = 'en retard'. Cancelled = 'annule'.
I have a connection in [city].
J' correspondance [].
IPA /ʒe yn kɔʁɛspɔ̃dɑ̃s a/
zhay oon kor-es-pohn-DAHNS ah ...
'Correspondance' covers both flight transfers and train transfers.
My luggage did not arrive.
bagage ' .
IPA /mɔ̃ baɡaʒ nɛ pa aʁive/
mohn bah-GAHZH nay paz ah-ree-VAY
Find the airline's lost luggage desk ('comptoir bagages perdus') before leaving the baggage hall. Walking out makes the claim more difficult.
I need to fill in a lost luggage report.
remplir declaration perte.
IPA /ʒə dwa ʁɑ̃pliʁ yn deklaʁasjɔ̃ də pɛʁt/
zhuh DWA rahm-PLEER oon day-kla-rah-see-OHN duh PEHRT
You will receive a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) reference number. Keep this safe for any insurance claim.
Where do I claim my baggage?
recuperation bagages ?
IPA /u ɛ la zon də ʁekypeʁasjɔ̃ de baɡaʒ/
OO ay la zone duh ray-koo-pay-ra-see-OHN day bah-GAHZH
I have nothing to declare.
' declarer.
IPA /ʒə ne ʁjɛ̃ a deklaʁe/
zhuh nay ree-EN ah day-cla-RAY
Use the green channel ('rien a declarer'). The red channel is 'articles a declarer'.
I am here on holiday for ten days.
jours.
IPA /ʒə sɥi isi ɑ̃ vakɑ̃s puʁ di ʒuʁ/
zhuh swee ee-SEE ahn va-KAHNS poor dee ZHOOR
Useful at non-Schengen entry points (Quebec, francophone Africa, French overseas territories with their own immigration controls).
Where is the exit?
?
IPA /u ɛ la sɔʁti/
OO ay la sor-TEE
Regional notes
Paris Charles de Gaulle
CDG has three terminals far apart (T1, T2, T3) and T2 is internally split into seven sub-terminals (2A through 2G). Check your terminal carefully on your boarding pass and allow 30 minutes for inter-terminal transfers via the CDGVAL airport shuttle.
Brussels
Brussels Airport runs check-in in French, Dutch and English equally. Either French or Dutch will be understood. The intra-airport signage is trilingual.
Francophone Africa
Dakar, Abidjan, Casablanca and Cotonou airports operate in French by default. The customs and immigration procedures are stricter than in Europe; have all documents ready including the vaccination record cards for the country-specific requirements (yellow fever for some sub-Saharan routes).
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
How do I ask if my flight is delayed?
Le vol est en retard ? (Is the flight late?). Display boards show 'A l'heure' (on time), 'Embarquement' (boarding), 'En retard' (delayed), 'Annule' (cancelled).
What is the French word for liquids restriction?
Les liquides. The 100ml rule applies at all major francophone airports. Security may say 'liquides dans le bac' (liquids in the tray) when you reach the X-ray belt.
How do I ask where the duty-free shop is?
Ou est la boutique duty-free ? The English term is loaned and universally understood. The proper French is 'magasin hors taxes' but the English form is what is used in signage.