French airport phrases: booking, check-in and boarding

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 3 October 2026 · About the library

Follow four stages of an airport exchange in French: find a booking, accept a ticket change, complete check-in and ask about boarding.

A2
14 phrases
4 situations
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In short

Réservation means booking, enregistrement means check-in and embarquement means boarding. Listen for the action as well: je vais vérifier announces a check; c’est terminé says it is complete.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A traveller with a suitcase checking in at an airport counter, plain travel documents on the desk. — A journey separates l’enregistrement from l’embarquement. Illustration: Atelier

Four stages at a glance

French message	English	What happens next
Je retrouve votre réservation.	I’ve found your booking.	The employee can check its details.
Souhaitez-vous modifier votre billet ?	Would you like to change your ticket?	You decide whether to accept.
Votre enregistrement est terminé.	Your check-in is complete.	Ask where to go next.
L’embarquement commence.	Boarding is starting.	Listen to the gate instructions.

Things you may be asked to show or identify

Find the booking

YouBonjour, j’ai une réservation au nom de Morel.Hello, I have a booking under Morel.

Airport staffJe retrouve votre réservation. Je vais vérifier les informations.I’ve found your booking. I’m going to check the details.

YouVous avez besoin de mon passeport ?Do you need my passport?

Discuss a change

Airport staffJe peux vous proposer le vol de onze heures. Souhaitez-vous modifier votre billet ?I can offer you the eleven o’clock flight. Would you like to change your ticket?

YouY a-t-il un supplément à payer ?Is there an extra charge?

Airport staffNon, le changement est gratuit.No, the change is free.

YouD’accord, je prends le vol de onze heures.All right, I’ll take the eleven o’clock flight.

Airport staffLa modification est effectuée. Voici votre nouveau billet.The change has been made. Here is your new ticket.

Check in

YouJe voudrais enregistrer cette valise.I’d like to check in this suitcase.

Airport staffTrès bien. Votre enregistrement est terminé. Voici votre carte d’embarquement.Very good. Your check-in is complete. Here is your boarding pass.

YouÀ quelle porte dois-je aller ?Which gate should I go to?

At the gate

YouEst-ce que l’embarquement a commencé ?Has boarding started?

Airport staffPas encore. Nous allons faire une annonce.Not yet. We’re going to make an announcement.

YouD’accord, merci. J’attends ici.All right, thank you. I’ll wait here.

In stage 2, the employee offers a free change and then confirms it after you accept. In stage 4, pas encore means you are still waiting. A gate number tells you where to go; the announcement tells you when boarding begins.