Phrasal verbs · Free lesson
Check in for a flight: explain this airport step
You have a flight reservation and you are standing at the airline desk. You want to explain which flight you need to check in for.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
check in
Register as a passenger for a flight.
Example
“I checked in for the evening flight, but I haven’t boarded yet.”
I completed check-in, but I have not boarded the aircraft.
The short answer
Check in for a flight means register yourself as a passenger for that flight. Use for before the flight and at before a place: “I checked in for Flight 417 at the desk.” Checking in is different from getting onto the plane.
Name the flight and the location separately.
For identifies the flight: check in for Flight 417. At identifies a place: check in at the desk. You can also check in online. Use checked in for a completed action. Write the verb as two words; the noun or adjective commonly has a hyphen, as in the check-in desk.
Explain why you are at the desk.
How can I help you?
I’d like to check in for Flight 417, please.
For Flight 417 names the flight. You do not need to add at the desk when the location is already obvious.
Describe the right step
Name the action
I need to check in.
Add the flight
I need to check in for Flight 417.
Add the location when useful
I checked in at the desk near the entrance.
Try it now
Check what you’ve learned.
Read all answers and explanations
“I’ve checked in, but I haven’t boarded.” Where is the difference?
The passenger has registered but has not boarded the plane.Check-in is registration. Boarding means getting onto the aircraft, which the speaker says has not happened.
Complete: “I’d like to check in ___ Flight 417.”
forFor identifies the flight you are registering for. At would introduce a place such as a desk.
Which sentence uses the verb correctly?
We need to check in at that desk.After need to, use the base verb check in as two words. The hyphen belongs in forms such as check-in desk.
Put it into practice
Handle a short check-in conversation.
You are at the airline desk for Flight 417. You have not checked in online. Explain what you need, then answer the employee’s question accurately.
- Airline employee
How can I help you?
See a model answer
- Employee
How can I help you?
- You
I’d like to check in for Flight 417, please.
- Employee
Have you checked in online?
- You
No, I haven’t checked in yet.
A clear request names the flight. The follow-up reply tells the employee which action you have not completed.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Why does a sign say check-in with a hyphen?
On a sign, check-in is a noun or describes a noun such as desk. In the action phrase I need to check in, the verb is two separate words.
“Where is the check-in desk?” / “I need to check in.”
Can check in also refer to a hotel?
Yes. At a hotel it describes registering your arrival as a guest. The setting tells you which kind of registration is meant.
“We checked in at the hotel after lunch.”
Take it into your day
Use for to name the flight and at to name the place. Say board when you mean getting onto the plane.
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