Planning to travel to a Spanish-speaking country? Navigating an airport can be challenging even in your native language, but knowing essential airport vocabulary in Spanish will make your journey much smoother. Today, we'll walk through the typical airport experience step by step, learning key Spanish terms you'll encounter from the moment you arrive until you board your plane.
When you first arrive at el aeropuerto (the airport), you'll need to orient yourself quickly. Most airports have clear signage, but knowing these basic terms will help you navigate with confidence.
The first thing you'll notice are the departure and arrival boards. Look for pantallas de información (information screens) that display current flight information. These digital displays are your first resource for finding your gate and checking your vuelo (flight) status.
En este aeropuerto no se informan de los vuelos. Consulte las pantallas de información.
In this airport flights are not announced. Check the information screens.
Captions 15-16, Raquel Avisos de Megafonía
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Once inside, you'll want to locate the departure and arrival information. The arrivals section is called llegadas, while departures are salidas. If you're picking someone up, head to the llegadas area. If you're traveling, you'll need the salidas section.
Flight information displays typically show:
• Número de vuelo (flight number)
• Destino (destination)
• Hora de salida (departure time)
• Puerta de embarque (gate)
• Estado del vuelo (flight status)
Mi vuelo sale desde la puerta de embarque B siete.
My flight leaves from the boarding gate B seven.
Caption 17, Raquel Avisos de Megafonía
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After confirming your flight details, it's time for el check-in (check-in). You have several options: you can use a máquina de check-in automático (self-service kiosk) or go to the mostrador de check-in (check-in counter).
At check-in, you'll need to present your documento de identidad (ID) and boleto or pasaje (ticket). For international flights, you'll need your pasaporte (passport). The agent will ask about your equipaje (baggage). You might have equipaje de mano (carry-on luggage) and equipaje facturado (checked baggage).
En París, ese... ese boleto de... lo que él vendió sob'... de ese boleto de avión
In Paris, that... that ticket from... what he sold was le'... [what was left] from that airline ticket
Captions 34-35, Víctor en España Gabriel García Márquez - Part 3
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¿Me permite su pasaporte?
May I have your passport?
Caption 18, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 1 - Part 2
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Common phrases you'll hear:
• ¿Puede mostrarme su pasaporte, por favor? (Can you show me your passport, please?)
• ¿Cuántas maletas lleva? (How many bags are you carrying?)
• ¿Cuántas maletas va a facturar? (How many bags are you checking?)
• ¿Cuántas personas viajan? (How many people are traveling?)
• ¿Prefiere asiento de ventana o de pasillo? (Do you prefer a window or aisle seat?)
After check-in, you'll proceed to control de seguridad (security checkpoint). This is where you'll need to show your tarjeta de embarque (boarding pass) and identification again.
At security, you'll need to:
• Remove your cinturón (belt) and zapatos (shoes)
• Place líquidos (liquids) in separate containers
• Put electronic devices in separate bins
• Walk through the detector de metales (metal detector)
Security personnel might ask you to abrir la maleta (open your bag) or explain certain items in your carry-on.
Once through security, you'll be in the área de embarque (boarding area). Use the señalización (signage) to find your puerta de embarque (boarding gate). Most airports have clear directional signs pointing to different gate numbers.
Along the way, you'll pass various servicios (services):
• Tiendas libres de impuestos (duty-free shops)
• Restaurantes y cafeterías (restaurants and cafeterias)
• Baños or servicios (restrooms)
• Salas de espera (waiting areas)
At your gate, listen for announcements about el embarque (boarding). Airlines typically board by grupos (groups) or filas (rows). When your group is called, present your tarjeta de embarque to the auxiliar de vuelo (flight attendant) at the gate.
You'll walk through the pasarela (jetway) to board the avión (airplane). Once on board, find your asiento (seat) and store your equipaje de mano in the compartimento superior (overhead compartment).
• Aeropuerto - Airport
• Terminal - Terminal
• Llegadas - Arrivals
• Salidas - Departures
• Vuelo - Flight
• Puerta de embarque - Gate
• Sala de embarque - Boarding area or departure lounge
la sala de embarque,
the departure lounge,
Caption 66, Carlos explica Los artículos en español - Part 1
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• Check-in - Check-in
• Mostrador - Counter
• Equipaje - Baggage
• Maleta - Suitcase
• Boleto/Pasaje - Ticket
• Tarjeta de embarque - Boarding pass
• Asiento - Seat
• Control de seguridad - Security checkpoint
• Pasaporte - Passport
• Documento de identidad - ID
• Detector de metales - Metal detector
• Rayos X - X-ray
• Baños/Servicios - Restrooms
• Tienda libre de impuestos - Duty-free shop
• Avión - Airplane
• Piloto - Pilot
• Auxiliar de vuelo - Flight attendant
• Pasarela - Jetway
• Embarque - Boarding
• Despegue - Takeoff
• Aterrizaje - Landing
Mastering this airport vocabulary in Spanish will help you travel more confidently in Spanish-speaking countries. Practice these terms before your next trip, and you'll find navigating airports much easier. Remember that airport staff are usually helpful if you need assistance - don't hesitate to ask "Disculpe, ¿puede ayudarme?" (Excuse me, can you help me?).
Ready to practice your airport vocabulary in Spanish? Send us a message with your comments or questions about your travel experiences and any other vocabulary you'd like us to cover!
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