Flying - German

Talking About Flights and Airports

When describing a Flug (flight), you will encounter many related terms. At the Flughafen (airport), you check in with your Ticket and receive your Bordkarte at the airline desk (die Fluggesellschaft). Before boarding, passengers (der Passagier) often wait at the Gate for their flight. Delays (die Verspätung) or changes in the Flugstatus can occur, so checking information screens is helpful. Upon arrival, the customs area (der Zoll) must be passed before leaving the airport.

Examples:

• My flight is delayed: Mein Flug hat Verspätung.
• The gate is at A10: Das Gate ist bei A10.
• Passengers wait at the gate: Die Passagiere warten am Gate.
• I have my ticket and boarding pass: Ich habe mein Ticket und meine Bordkarte.
• The airline is Lufthansa: Die Fluggesellschaft ist Lufthansa.

Using "fliegen" and Related Verbs

Fliegen means "to fly". Before a flight, you need to check in your luggage (das Gepäck) and go through security check (die Sicherheitskontrolle). You board the plane (einsteigen) when it's ready for departure (abfliegen). During the journey, your plane ascends (steigen) and eventually lands (landen). Often, you need to go through die Kontrolle (security/border check).

Conjugation Table: fliegen

Examples:

• The plane takes off: Das Flugzeug fliegt ab.
• I am flying to Berlin: Ich fliege nach Berlin.
• My luggage is at baggage control: Mein Gepäck ist bei der Kontrolle.
• The plane lands on time: Das Flugzeug landet pünktlich.

Air Travel Activities and Processes

Flying involves several steps and activities. After arriving at the airport, you might need to wait in line (anstehen) at check-in or security. For connecting flights, you look for your Anschlußverbindung (connecting flight). After the flight, you leave (aussteigen) the plane and proceed to collect your bags or go through customs. The seat you choose or are given is your Sitzplatz. The entire trip is called a Flugreise, and when you arrive, it is die Ankunft.

Examples:

• I am waiting in line: Ich stehe an.
• I get off the plane: Ich steige aus dem Flugzeug aus.
• My connecting flight is in one hour: Meine Anschlußverbindung ist in einer Stunde.
• I board the plane at gate B12: Ich steige am Gate B12 ins Flugzeug ein.
• My flight journey lasts ten hours: Meine Flugreise dauert zehn Stunden.

German airports are efficient and well organized, with clear signage for Sicherheitskontrolle, Gate, Zoll and all check-in processes.