A2French

On the Plane

Use these phrases on a plane — from boarding and finding your seat to asking the crew for help or swapping places.

Key Phrases

Voice
Finding your seat · 2 ways to say it

C'est quel siège ?

neutral

Which seat is it?

Said when checking your boarding pass or looking for your row.

Excusez-moi, c'est ma place.

polite

Excuse me, that's my seat.

Polite but direct — use this calmly if someone is sitting in your assigned seat.

Using the overhead bin · 2 ways to say it

Je peux mettre ça là-haut ?

neutral

Can I put this up there?

Point to the overhead bin — crew will understand immediately.

Vous pouvez m'aider avec mon bagage ?

polite

Can you help me with my bag?

Ask a crew member if the bin is too high or the bag too heavy.

Asking crew for water

Je peux avoir de l'eau, s'il vous plaît ?

polite

Can I have some water, please?

Standard polite request to cabin crew; works for any drink or snack.

Asking crew for a blanket

Vous avez une couverture ?

neutral

Do you have a blanket?

Short and natural — no need to add 'please' every time in French.

Asking about the seatbelt

Je dois attacher ma ceinture comment ?

neutral

How do I fasten my seatbelt?

Useful if the buckle type is unfamiliar — crew will show you.

Swapping seats · 2 ways to say it

Je peux changer de place ?

neutral

Can I change seats?

Ask a crew member; they will check if other seats are free.

Vous voulez bien changer de place avec moi ?

polite

Would you be willing to swap seats with me?

Ask a fellow passenger — more polite than a direct question.

Feeling unwell · 3 ways to say it

Je ne me sens pas bien.

neutral

I don't feel well.

Say this to a crew member; they will bring water or call for help.

J'ai mal au cœur.

neutral

I feel nauseous / I feel sick.

Literally 'I have a sick heart' — the standard phrase for motion sickness in French.

Vous avez un sac pour vomir ?

neutral

Do you have a sick bag?

Direct and clear — crew will understand and react quickly.

Practice Dialogue

Passenger
Excusez-moi, c'est ma place — 14B.
Fellow Passenger
Ah, désolé ! Je suis en 14C.
Passenger
Pas de problème. Je peux mettre ça là-haut ?
Fellow Passenger
Oui, il y a de la place.
Passenger
Merci. — Excusez-moi, vous avez une couverture ?
Cabin Crew
Oui, bien sûr. Vous voulez aussi de l'eau ?
Passenger
Oui, s'il vous plaît. J'ai un peu mal au cœur.
Cabin Crew
D'accord. Vous avez besoin d'un sac ?
Passenger
Non, ça va pour l'instant. Merci.
Cabin Crew
Appelez-moi si ça ne va pas, d'accord ?

More Travel & Transport (A2)

← All French survival phrases