board the plane

Meaning

This expression means to get onto an airplane in order to travel. It is a standard collocation used at airports, typically announced by airline staff or discussed among travelers before departure. The phrase is neutral and suitable for both formal airport announcements and casual conversations.

Examples

• We need to hurry to the gate because they are about to board the plane.

  We need to hurry to the gate because they are about to board the plane.

• Passengers with small children were invited to board the plane first.

  Passengers with small children were invited to board the plane first.

• I always feel a mix of excitement and anxiety right as I board the plane.

  I always feel a mix of excitement and anxiety right as I board the plane.

• Once we board the plane, I'm going to try to get some sleep.

  Once we board the plane, I'm going to try to get some sleep.

• They had to delay boarding the plane due to a minor mechanical issue.

  They had to delay boarding the plane due to a minor mechanical issue.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We are ready to enter the plane.

  ✓ We are ready to board the plane.

  While 'enter' is grammatically possible, 'board' is the natural, standard collocation used for planes, ships, and trains.

• ✗ I boarded into the plane at gate 14.

  ✓ I boarded the plane at gate 14.

  'Board' is a transitive verb in this context and does not require the preposition 'into'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please have your passports and boarding passes ready as you prepare to ___.

  💡 Get onto the aircraft

  Show answer

  board the plane

• We had to wait in a long queue before we could finally ___.

  💡 Step inside the aircraft

  Show answer

  board the plane