la llegada
La llegada means the arrival, usually of a person, flight, or a moment when you get somewhere. It often appears in travel updates and airport contexts.
Common Phrases
- la llegada del vuelo — the arrival of the flight
- hora de llegada — arrival time
Example
La llegada fue tranquila pese al retraso.
The arrival was calm despite the delay.
Common Mistake
Mixing it up with llegar (verb) or using the wrong article: la llegada, not el llegada.
la puerta
La puerta means the gate or door; at the airport it commonly refers to the boarding gate. It is the spot where you line up to board.
Common Phrases
- la puerta de embarque — the boarding gate
- cambiar de puerta — to change gates
Example
Mi vuelo sale por la puerta 12.
My flight departs from gate 12.
Common Mistake
Using the English word in Spanish or skipping the article in a full sentence: say la puerta, not gate or puerta 12 when you need a full phrase like la puerta 12.
cómodo
Cómodo means comfortable (or convenient, depending on context). It agrees with the noun: cómodo (masculine) and cómoda (feminine).
Common Phrases
- un asiento cómodo — a comfortable seat
- un lugar cómodo — a comfortable place
Example
El asiento es cómodo para un vuelo largo.
The seat is comfortable for a long flight.
Common Mistake
Forgetting gender agreement: un lugar cómodo but una silla cómoda, not una silla cómodo.
la terminal
La terminal is the terminal building or area at an airport (or other transport hubs). It is where you find check-in, security, and gates.
Common Phrases
- la terminal internacional — the international terminal
- salida de la terminal — terminal exit
Example
Estoy en la terminal correcta, pero no veo mi puerta.
I am in the correct terminal, but I do not see my gate.
Common Mistake
Confusing it with el terminal: in airport Spanish it is la terminal.
la aduana
La aduana means customs, the checkpoint where officials ask about your trip and goods. It is especially relevant after international arrivals.
Common Phrases
- pasar por la aduana — to go through customs
- control de aduana — customs control
Example
En la aduana me preguntaron por mi destino.
At customs they asked me about my destination.
Common Mistake
Using a literal translation like las costumbres for customs: the correct word is la aduana.
el asiento
El asiento means the seat, especially your assigned seat on a plane, bus, or train. In travel contexts it often connects to location (window/aisle) and comfort.
Common Phrases
- asiento junto a la ventana — seat next to the window
- asiento de pasillo — aisle seat
Example
Me tocó un asiento junto a la ventana.
I got a seat next to the window.
Common Mistake
Confusing asiento with silla: el asiento is the standard word for your seat assignment on transport, not la silla.
el aviso
El aviso is an announcement or notice, often something official you hear or see. At airports it can be a spoken message or posted information.
Common Phrases
- un aviso por los altavoces — an announcement over the loudspeakers
- aviso de embarque — boarding announcement
Example
Escuché un aviso de embarque y fui a la puerta.
I heard a boarding announcement and went to the gate.
Common Mistake
Using advertisement logic: in Spanish, aviso is a notice/announcement, not necessarily an ad; for an ad you would say anuncio, not aviso in many contexts.
el mapa
El mapa is the map, including airport maps on screens, posters, or apps. It is useful for locating terminals, gates, and services.
Common Phrases
- consultar el mapa — to check the map
- mapa de la terminal — terminal map
Example
Consulté el mapa para ubicar la terminal.
I checked the map to locate the terminal.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong preposition with location: say ubicar la terminal or encontrar la terminal, not ubicar a la terminal in this context.