20 Phrasal Verbs Related to Flying

20 Phrasal Verbs Related to Flying (with Meanings & Examples)

Hello, English learners! Welcome to a new lesson! Travelling by plane introduces a lot of phrasal verbs that native speakers use naturally when talking about airports, flights, delays, and luggage. In this lesson, you’ll learn 20 common phrasal verbs related to flying, each explained clearly and illustrated with natural example sentences. These expressions are useful for real-life travel, listening tasks, and Cambridge exams (B2–C1).

Take off

Meaning: to leave the ground and begin flying

The plane will take off in about thirty minutes.

Touch down

Meaning: to land after flying

Our flight touched down safely despite the bad weather.

Lift off

Meaning: to rise into the air (often used for aircraft or spacecraft)

The aircraft lifted off smoothly from the runway.

Hold up

Meaning: to delay something

Heavy fog held up several flights this morning.

Check in

Meaning: to register for a flight at the airport or online

We checked in online the night before our flight.

Check out

Meaning: to leave a hotel or accommodation

We checked out of the airport hotel early in the morning.

Drop off

Meaning: to take someone or something to a place and leave them there

The taxi dropped us off outside the departures terminal.

Pick up

Meaning: to collect someone from a place

My sister picked me up from the airport after I landed.

Carry on

Meaning: to take small luggage onto the plane

You’re allowed to carry on one small bag.

Get in

Meaning: to arrive at a destination (informal)

Our flight got in earlier than scheduled.

Get out

Meaning: to leave a plane or vehicle

Passengers were asked to remain seated until they could get out.

Turn back

Meaning: to return to the place you started from

The pilot had to turn back due to a technical problem.

Hold on

Meaning: to wait for a short time

Hold on while I check the departure gate.

Look around

Meaning: to explore a place

We looked around the duty-free shops before boarding.

Check through

Meaning: to send luggage directly to the final destination

Our bags were checked through to Sydney.

Buckle up

Meaning: to fasten your seatbelt

Please buckle up as the plane is about to take off.

Speed up

Meaning: to move faster

The aircraft sped up as it moved along the runway.

Slow down

Meaning: to reduce speed

The plane slowed down after landing.

Call off

Meaning: to cancel something

Several flights were called off due to the storm.

Fly out

Meaning: to leave a place by plane

We’re flying out to New York tomorrow morning.

When learning travel-related phrasal verbs, picture the situation — boarding, flying, landing, delays. This helps you remember meaning and use them naturally in speaking and writing.