Speak French: How to follow instructions at the airport

Read on to:

• Be ready to follow airport instructions in French as you check in for your flight and go through security
• Learn key vocabulary to help you find what you need at the airport
• Find out how to get a 14-day free trial of Immerse’s award-winning French conversation app with unlimited access to live classes, community events, games, and AI-powered conversation practice

Do you have what it takes to follow the instructions of airport personnel in French?

If you’re planning a trip to a French-speaking country, chances are you’ll be interacting with French speakers at the airport. You can make your time at the airport easier and increase your confidence by familiarizing yourself with phrases that are typically used in airports.

Even if you’re still a beginner, you can learn to recognize and follow these common instructions.

Going through security

The most important instructions you’ll hear at the airport are the ones about going through security. Here are the phrases you’ll need to understand:

Présentez votre passeport. - Show your passport.

Placez vos sacs sur le tapis roulant. - Place your bags on the conveyor belt.

Sortez tout ce que vous avez dans les poches. - Take everything out of your pockets.

Enlevez vos chaussures. - Remove your shoes.

Passez le contrôle. - Walk through security.

Ramassez vos objets. - Pick up your items.

By listening carefully to everything the security personnel say and watching what the other travelers are doing, you should make it through security without a hitch!

Ready for more? Here are a few more phrases that might come in handy at the airport:

➜ Attendez dans la file d'attente. - Wait in line.

➜ Scannez votre passeport.- Scan your passport.

➜ Dirigez-vous vers la sécurité. - Walk to security.

➜ Enlève ta veste. - Take your jacket off.

➜ Prenez vos sacs. - Get your bags.

Practice makes perfect!

If you’re learning French, interacting with other people is the most effective way. There’s no better way to get skilled at following directions than through live practice!  

So, we invite you to…

Come practice with us in Immerse!

Immerse gives you unlimited access to live virtual reality French classes, conversation events, AI practice, and more in over 40 interactive scenes. Make friends, gain confidence and speak French sooner with a 14-day free trial - accessible through your Mac or PC browser, or check out our app for Quest VR headsets.