CEFR A1-A2
Spanish Airport Phrases: Check-in, Security, Boarding and Baggage
Most Spanish-speaking-country airport staff in international terminals work in English. These phrases get you through check-in, security and boarding without switching, and handle the situations where staff are not bilingual: lost luggage, missed connections, regional airports.
I am checking in for the [destination] flight.
facturar [].
IPA /ˈboj a faktuˈɾaɾ ˈpaɾa el ˈbwelo a/
voy ah fak-too-RAR PA-ra el VWEH-lo ah ...
In Latin America 'documentar' is sometimes used in place of 'facturar' for check-in. Both work; 'facturar' is the universal default.
I would like a window seat, please.
ventanilla, .
IPA /keˈria un aˈsjento de bentaˈniʝa poɾ faˈβoɾ/
keh-REE-ah oon ah-see-EN-to deh ven-tah-NEE-ya por fah-VOR
Aisle seat = 'asiento de pasillo'. 'Querria' is the polite conditional; 'quiero' (I want) is acceptable but blunter.
How many bags can I check in?
Cuantas maletas facturar?
IPA /ˈkwantas maˈletas ˈpwedo faktuˈɾaɾ/
KWAN-tas ma-LEH-tas PWEH-do fak-too-RAR
Where is the boarding gate?
embarque?
IPA /ˈdonde esˈta la ˈpweɾta de emˈbaɾke/
DON-deh es-TAH la PWEHR-ta deh em-BAR-keh
'Puerta' literally means door. Latin America sometimes uses 'sala de embarque' for the broader boarding lounge.
Is the flight on time?
prevista?
IPA /el ˈbwelo ˈsale a la ˈoɾa pɾeˈβista/
el VWEH-lo SAH-leh ah la OR-ah preh-VEES-ta
Delayed = 'retrasado'. Cancelled = 'cancelado'.
I have a connection in [city].
conexion [].
IPA /ˈteŋɡo konekˈsjon en/
TEN-go ko-nek-see-OHN en ...
My luggage did not arrive.
equipaje .
IPA /mi ekiˈpaxe no a ʝeˈɣado/
mee eh-kee-PAH-heh no ah yeh-GAH-do
Head straight for the 'oficina de equipajes perdidos' (lost luggage office) before leaving the baggage hall.
I need to fill in a lost luggage report.
reclamacion equipaje .
IPA /neseˈsito aˈseɾ ˈuna reklamaˈsjon poɾ ekiˈpaxe peɾˈdido/
neh-seh-SEE-to ah-SEHR OO-na reh-cla-ma-see-OHN por eh-kee-PAH-heh pehr-DEE-do
You will receive a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) reference. Keep it; you need it for the airline's online tracking and any insurance claim.
Where do I claim my baggage?
recojo equipaje?
IPA /ˈdonde reˈkoxo mi ekiˈpaxe/
DON-deh reh-KO-ho mee eh-kee-PAH-heh
I have nothing to declare.
declarar.
IPA /no ˈteŋɡo ˈnaða ke deklaˈɾaɾ/
no TEN-go NA-da keh deh-cla-RAR
Standard customs response. Use the green channel ('via verde') unless you have items to declare.
I am here on holiday for ten days.
.
IPA /ˈbeŋɡo de bakaˈsjones poɾ ˈdjes ˈdias/
VEN-go deh va-ka-see-OH-nes por dee-EZ DEE-ahs
Useful for immigration officials at non-Schengen entry points (e.g. Mexico, Argentina, Chile). Spain uses 'de vacaciones' less than 'de turismo'.
Where is the exit?
?
IPA /ˈdonde esˈta la saˈliða/
DON-deh es-TAH la sa-LEE-da
Regional notes
Spain
Madrid Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat have multiple terminals far apart; allow 30+ minutes for inter-terminal transfers. Check your terminal on your boarding pass (T1, T2, T3 or T4 at Madrid; T1 or T2 at Barcelona) before arrival.
Latin America
Latin American international airports almost always charge a separate departure tax that is now included in most airline ticket prices but occasionally requires a small cash payment. Confirm at check-in to avoid surprise at the gate.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
How do I ask if my flight is delayed?
El vuelo esta retrasado? (Is the flight delayed?). Status boards usually display 'En hora' (on time), 'Embarcando' (boarding), 'Retrasado' (delayed) and 'Cancelado' (cancelled).
What is the Spanish word for liquids restriction?
Liquidos. The 100ml rule is universal across major airports; the security person will say 'liquidos al lado' (liquids to the side) if you need to pull them out of your bag.
How do I ask where the duty-free shop is?
Donde esta el duty free? (Where is the duty-free?) The English term is loaned across the Spanish-speaking world; 'tienda libre de impuestos' is the formal Spanish but is rarely used in signage.