You arrived in New York City once, twice, maybe three times, and each time the airport felt like a very clean, fluorescent crossword puzzle you hadn’t asked to solve. If you’re Ukrainian (or travelling with Ukrainians) and you want to get through JFK, LaGuardia, or nearby Newark without inventing charades, this guide is for you. You’ll get copy‑and‑paste dialogues, pronunciation tips, short scripts for tricky moments (tight connections, secondary inspection, lost luggage), and a compact glossary. I’ll write like I’m standing next to you in a security line—slightly bemused, but ultimately committed to helping you not miss your flight.
You’ll find the words you need in simple English with Ukrainian explanations where helpful, so you can speak without translating in your head. And if your brain melts at the conveyor belt, there’s an option at the end to book a quick Zoom with a native Ukrainian teacher, or DM Sofiia on Instagram @youdoyou.school for a free 15‑minute consultation.
Learn airport and border control English with native Ukrainian tutor tap here now…
Before you leave home: check-in and preparation
You pack, unpack, pack again, and still leave your toothpaste in the hotel fridge. That’s normal. Before you walk into JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark, make sure your documents are organized and you can say the basic lines without sounding like a radio playing in a different language.
Check your passport (паспорт — pasport) and visa or ESTA status. Screenshot your boarding pass and save it to your phone; also print it if you’re old school. Know your airline and terminal—JFK has many terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 4, Terminal 7, Terminal 8), LaGuardia is compact but busy, and Newark (EWR) often requires more walking than you expect. Plan extra time if you have a tight connection.
Practice three things aloud: your name, your destination, and how long you’ll stay. You’ll be amazed how calming that is.
At the check‑in counter (or kiosk)
You face a kiosk with a screen that seems to require a PhD in touchpads. If you don’t want to wrestle with booths, head to the counter. Lines move slowly and with the dignity of a crowd that has surrendered to airport time.
When you reach the counter, use this script:
Agent: “Good morning. May I see your passport and ticket, please?” You: “Good morning. Here are my passport and boarding pass. I’d like to check one bag.” (Доброго дня. Ось мій паспорт і квиток. Я хотів би здати один багаж. — Dobroho dnya. Osʹ miy pasport i kvytok. Ya khotiv by zdaty odyn bagazh.)
If you need a seat change or help: You: “Is there any chance I can get a window seat?” or “Could I change my seat, please?” (Чи є можливість отримати місце біля вікна? — Chy ye mozhlyvistʹ otrymaty misce bilya vikna?)
If the agent asks about checked baggage weight or fees: Agent: “Is this your only bag to check?” You: “Yes, one bag. How much is the fee?” (Так, один багаж. Яка плата? — Tak, odyn bagazh. Yaka plata?)
Pronunciation tip: “boarding pass” — say it like “BOR-ding pass.” Emphasize BOR so it doesn’t disappear into the air.
If you are running late and have a tight connection, say: You: “I have a tight connection. My next flight departs at [time]. Can you help me?” (У мене коротка пересадка. Мій наступний рейс відправляється о [час]. Чи можете мені допомогти? — U mene korotka peresadka. Miy nastupnyi reys vidpravlyayetsya o [chas]. Chy mozhete meni dopomogty?)
Airport staff appreciate clarity and calm. Pretend you’re politely annoyed at the universe, not at the person in front of you.
Security screening (TSA)
Security can feel like a brief personal audit. You’ll be asked to remove shoes, belts, liquids, and devices. If that sounds extreme, it is. Prepare your liquids in a clear bag (100 ml or smaller containers, all together), take out your laptop, and be ready to slide everything into a plastic bin.
Common phrases:
TSA Officer: “Please remove your shoes and place your carry‑ons on the belt.” You: “Okay. Do I put my laptop in a separate bin?” (Добре. Мені покласти ноутбук в окрему лоток? — Dobre. Meni poklasty noutbuk v okremu lotok?)
TSA Officer: “Do you have any liquids, gels, or large electronics in your bag?” You: “Yes, I have a water bottle — may I throw it away? I have a laptop and charger.” (Так, у мене є пляшка з водою — чи можу я її викинути? — Tak, u mene ye plyashka z vodoyu — chy mozhu ya yiyi vykynuty?)
If you have medicines: You: “I have prescription medication. It’s in my carry‑on.” (У мене є ліки за рецептом. Вони в ручній поклажі. — U mene ye liky za retseptom. Vony v ruchniy poklazhi.)
Pronunciation tip: “laptop” — LAP-top; “charger” — CHAR‑jer. Make sure “prescription” is said slowly: pre-SCRIP-tion.
If you need help because you’re unsure: You: “Excuse me, could you tell me where to put my liquids?” (Вибачте, могли б ви сказати, куди кладуть рідини? — Vybachte, mohly b vy skazaty, kudy kladutʹ ridyny?)
Be friendly. The officers control your immediate future; being polite helps.
Immigration interview at arrival (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
This is the part where you have to look like you belong in someone’s carefully curated vacation slideshow. The CBP officer will ask quick questions. Keep your answers short, honest, and confident.
Typical dialogue on arrival:
Officer: “Passport, please.” You: “Here you go.” (Ось, будь ласка. — Osʹ, budʹ laska.)
Officer: “What is the purpose of your visit?” You: “Tourism.” / “Visiting family.” / “Business.” (Туризм. / Відвідати родичів. / Бізнес. — Turyzm. / Vidvidaty rodychiv. / Biznes.)
Officer: “How long will you be staying?” You: “Two weeks.” / “One month.” (Я пробуду два тижні. — Ya probudu dva tyzhni.)
Officer: “Where will you stay?” You: “I’ll stay at [hotel name] in Manhattan.” or “I’ll stay with my sister at [address].” (Я зупиняюсь у [назва готелю] на Манхеттені. / Я буду у своєї сестри за адресою [адреса]. — Ya zupynyayusʹ u [nazva hotelu] na Manhetteni / Ya budu u svoyeyi sestry za adresoyu [adresa].)
Officer: “Do you have anything to declare?” You: “No.” or if yes, explain. (Чи маю я щось декларувати? Ні. — Chy mayu ya shchosʹ deklaruvaty? Ni.)
If you’re visiting relatives, have their address and phone number handy. If you’re here for work, know the company name and contact person.
If you’re nervous, say: You: “I’m a little nervous — could you please speak slowly?” (Я трохи нервую — чи можете говорити повільніше? — Ya trokh y nervuyu — chy mozhete hovoryty povilʹnishe?)
Pronunciation tip: “How long will you be staying?” — say: “How long will you be stay‑ing?” Pause briefly after “long.”
Secondary inspection (if selected)
If you are selected for a secondary inspection, do not panic. It is usually routine. You will be taken to another room for further questions and sometimes a bag search. Keep calm and say simple things.
Officer: “Please follow me.” You: “Okay.” (Добре. — Dobre.)
Officer: “Why were you selected?” You: “I don’t know. I have my documents.” (Я не знаю. Ось мої документи. — Ya ne znayu. Osʹ moyi dokumenty.)
Officer: “Do you have large sums of cash?” You: “No, just my cards and some cash.” (Ні, лише карти і трохи готівки. — Ni, lyshe karty i trokhy hotivky.)
If asked about your occupation: You: “I work as [teacher / engineer / student].” (Я працюю [вчителем / інженером / студентом]. — Ya pratsyuyu [vchytelyem / inzhenerom / studentom].)
Secondary inspection often feels like a private conversation with someone who read your whole life summary and wants the audiobook. Be patient and answer clearly.
Customs declarations
In the U.S. you’ll get a customs declaration form on the plane or use a kiosk. Declare goods honestly. If you have food from home, especially meat, dairy, or produce, say so.
Common phrases:
Officer: “Do you have any food, plants, or animal products?” You: “Yes, I have some packaged sweets.” or “No, I don’t.” (Так, у мене є упаковані солодощі. / Ні, не маю. — Tak, u mene ye upakovani solodoshchi. / Ni, ne mayu.)
If you need to declare money over $10,000: You: “I have over ten thousand dollars to declare.” (У мене понад десять тисяч доларів для декларування. — U mene ponad desyat tysiach dolariv dlya deklaruvannya.)
If you are unsure: You: “I’m not sure. Could you please help me fill this out?” (Я не впевнений(на). Чи можете допомогти заповнити? — Ya ne vpevnen(na). Chy mozhete dopomogty zapovnyty?)
Polite phrase: “Thank you for your help.” — “Дякую за допомогу.” (Dyakuyu za dopomohu.)
Boarding and gate announcements
Gates are your temporary neighborhoods. Listen for announcements and know how to ask for clarifications.
Gate agent: “Now boarding group 1, 2, and 3.” You: “Is this gate for flight [number] to [city]?” (Це гейт для рейсу [номер] до [місто]? — Tse heit dlya reysu [nomer] do [misto]?)
If you miss an announcement: You: “Excuse me, could you repeat the boarding time, please?” (Вибачте, чи можете повторити час посадки, будь ласка? — Vybachte, chy mozhete povtoryty chas posadky, budʹ laska?)
Boarding tip: line up in the correct zone. Americans love order in lines more than in most religious ceremonies.
On the plane: speaking with flight attendants
Flight attendants will ask if you want drinks and sometimes question your carry‑on size. Be polite.
FA: “Would you like something to drink?” You: “Water, please.” or “Coffee, please.” (Воду, будь ласка. / Кава, будь ласка. — Vodu, budʹ laska. / Kava, budʹ laska.)
If you need help: You: “Excuse me, could you help me with my bag?” (Вибачте, чи можете допомогти з моїм багажем? — Vybachte, chy mozhete dopomogty z moyim bagazhem?)
Pronunciation tip: “Could you” — you can soften to “Could you please…” — sounds politely American.
Dealing with lost luggage
Lost luggage is an emotional genre of its own. You arrive, your bag does not. You must choose between melodrama and pragmatism. Choose pragmatism.
At the baggage desk:
Agent: “Can I see your boarding pass and baggage claim ticket?” You: “Yes, here they are. My bag didn’t come out. My baggage tag number is [number].” (Ось мій талон на багаж і посадковий талон. Мій багаж не з’явився. Номер мого багажного талона [номер]. — Osʹ miy talon na bagazh i posadkoviy talon. Miy bagazh ne z’yavysya. Nomer moho bagazhnoho talona [nomer].)
Agent: “Do you have any identifying information on the bag?” You: “It’s a black suitcase with a red ribbon.” (Чорний чемодан з червоною стрічкою. — Chornyy chemodan z chervonoyu strichkoyu.)
If your bag is delayed for a few days: Agent: “We’ll deliver it to your address.” You: “Thank you. Here is my phone number and address.” (Дякую. Ось мій номер телефону та адреса. — Dyakuyu. Osʹ miy nomer telefonu ta adresa.)
If the airline can’t find your bag and there are essentials you need: You: “I need to file a claim for my delayed baggage and request an overnight kit for essentials.” (Мені потрібно подати заяву про затриманий багаж і отримати набір першої необхідності. — Meni potribno podaty zayavu pro zatrimaniy bagazh i otrymaty nabor pershoyi neobhidnosti.)
Keep receipts for anything you buy because the airline may reimburse.
Tight connections and re‑checking through security
If you have a short layover in JFK or Newark, you might literally be sprinting with a face that says “I have never been so alive.” Here’s how to ask for help.
At the transfer desk: You: “I have a tight connection to [destination]. My next flight departs at [time]. Can you help me get there?” (У мене коротка пересадка до [місто]. Мій рейс відправляється о [час]. Чи можете допомогти мені туди потрапити? — U mene korotka peresadka do [misto]. Miy reys vidpravlyayetsya o [chas]. Chy mozhete dopomogty meni tudy potrapyty?)
If the gate is far: You: “Is there a shuttle or tram between terminals?” (Чи є шатл або трамвай між терміналами? — Chy ye shatl abo tramvay mizh terminalamy?)
If you miss the flight: You: “I missed my connection. Can you rebook me on the next flight?” (Я пропустив(-ла) пересадку. Чи можете мене перевести на наступний рейс? — Ya propustyv(-la) peresadku. Chy mozhete mene perevesty na nastupnyy reys?)
Airport staff will help if you stay calm and clear. They like being useful.
Declarations and ‘Yes / No’ questions at security and immigration
You’ll be asked rapid yes/no questions. These are simple but easy to fumble if you haven’t practiced.
Common yes/no items:
- Have you been in a hospital recently? (Чи були ви нещодавно в лікарні?)
- Are you carrying fruits, meat, or plants? (Чи маєте фрукти, м’ясо або рослини?)
- Are you carrying more than $10,000 in cash? (Чи маєте більше 10 000 доларів готівкою?)
Practice: Officer: “Are you carrying any food?” You: “No.” (Ні. — Ni.)
Keep it short. American officials like short answers.
Polite phrases that always work
Politeness is your secret airport currency. Here are phrases that smooth every interaction.
- “Excuse me.” (Вибачте. — Vybachte.)
- “Could you please repeat that?” (Чи можете повторити, будь ласка? — Chy mozhete povtoryty, budʹ laska?)
- “Could you speak more slowly, please?” (Чи можете говорити повільніше, будь ласка? — Chy mozhete hovoryty povilʹnishe, budʹ laska?)
- “Thank you for your help.” (Дякую за допомогу. — Dyakuyu za dopomohu.)
- “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” (Вибачте, я не розумію. — Vybachte, ya ne rozumiyu.)
These cost nothing and make people like you more—useful when someone controls whether you get on a plane or not.
Pronunciation cheats for key questions and answers
You won’t become a phonetics professor overnight, but you can be understood. Say these slowly:
- “Where is Gate 12?” — where iz GATE twelve? (Вихід 12?) — “Where is Gate twelve?”
- “How long will you be staying?” — HOW long will you be STAY‑ing? (Як довго ви пробудете?)
- “Do you have anything to declare?” — do you have AN‑y‑thing to de‑CLARE? (Чи маєте щось для декларування?)
- “I have a tight connection.” — I have a TIGHT connection. (У мене коротка пересадка.)
- “My luggage is missing.” — my LUG‑gage is MISS‑ing. (Мій багаж загубився.)
Pronunciation tip: Americans often stress content words—say the main nouns and verbs clearly.
Compact glossary (useful airport words)
This is your little pocket dictionary. I’ll give the English, the Ukrainian, and a tiny note.
- Passport — паспорт (pasport). Your identity and travel proof.
- Boarding pass — посадковий талон (posadkovyy talon). Your ticket to the seat.
- Gate — вихід / гейт (vykhid / heit). Where you board.
- Baggage / luggage — багаж (bagazh). All the things you packed.
- Carry‑on — ручна поклажа (ruchna poklazha). What you bring onboard.
- Checked baggage — зданий багаж / реєстрований багаж (zdaný bagazh / reiestrovanyy bagazh). What you hand to the airline.
- Customs — митниця (mytnytsia). Where you declare goods.
- Immigration — імміграція / прикордонний контроль (immihratsiia / prykordonnyi kontrolʹ). Passport checks.
- Security — контроль безпеки (kontrol bezpeky). The TSA area.
- Delay — затримка (zatrimka). Your patience will be tested.
- Connection — пересадка (peresadka). Your next flight.
- Claim check / baggage tag — багажний талон (bagazhnyy talon). The tag that tracks your bag.
Scripts you can copy‑and‑paste
You can paste these into your phone and rehearse. Keep them short.
Check‑in counter — copy: “Good morning. Here is my passport and my ticket. I would like to check one bag, please. I have a tight connection to [city] at [time]. Can you help me?” (Доброго ранку. Ось мій паспорт і квиток. Я хочу здати один багаж. У мене коротка пересадка до [місто] о [час]. Чи можете допомогти?)
Security screening — copy: “Hello. I have a laptop and charger in my carry‑on. I also have prescription medicine in my bag. Is there anything else I should remove?” (Добрий день. У мене в ручній поклажі ноутбук і зарядний пристрій. Також у мене ліки за рецептом. Чи потрібно щось ще дістати?)
Immigration on arrival — copy: “Good afternoon. I’m here for tourism — I’ll stay for two weeks. I’ll be at [hotel name / friend’s address]. Here is my passport.” (Доброго дня. Я тут з туризму — пробуду два тижні. Я зупинюся в [назва готелю / адреса друга]. Ось мій паспорт.)
Lost luggage — copy: “Hello. My bag didn’t arrive. My baggage tag number is [number]. It’s a black suitcase with a red ribbon. Can you open a delayed baggage report, please?” (Доброго дня. Мій багаж не з’явився. Номер багажного талона [номер]. Це чорний чемодан з червоною стрічкою. Чи можете відкрити заяву про затримку багажу?)
Customs — copy: “No, I have nothing to declare.” or “Yes, I have [item]. Here is the receipt.” (Ні, я не маю нічого для декларування. / Так, у мене є [предмет]. Ось чек.)
Use these verbatim or tweak to fit your situation.
Realistic scenarios and how to handle them
You will be tested. Here are scenarios you may actually face.
Scenario: Tight connection at JFK You land at Terminal 4 and your next flight leaves from Terminal 1 in 45 minutes. You sprint, which is an American pastime. Find a ground staff member and say: “I have a short connection to [destination] in 45 minutes. Can you tell me the fastest way to transfer? Is there a shuttle or train?” (У мене коротка пересадка до [місто] через 45 хвилин. Як найшвидше потрапити? Є шатл чи поїзд?)
Scenario: Selected for secondary inspection You are politely led to a smaller room. Answer calmly: “I understand. I have my passport and ticket. I don’t have anything to declare. How long will this take?” (Я розумію. Ось мій паспорт і квиток. Я не маю нічого для декларування. Скільки це займе часу?)
Scenario: Lost luggage on arrival in NYC You collect empty conveyor belts and realize your bag is not there. Go to the airline desk: “My bag didn’t arrive. My tag number is [number]. I have important medication inside. Can you please help?” (Мій багаж не прибув. Номер [номер]. У ньому важливі ліки. Чи можете допомогти?)
Keep receipts and note names and employee IDs when helpful. People file lost luggage claims for a living; you file clearly.
Tips for documents and small talk
When you speak with CBP or airline agents, be concise. But if you want to add a human touch, a short phrase works wonders.
Small talk phrases:
- “It’s my first time in New York.” (Це мій перший раз у Нью-Йорку.)
- “The city looks beautiful.” (Місто виглядає гарно.)
- “Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.” (Дякую за вашу допомогу, я ціную це.)
Remember, small talk is optional but it gives you a friendly tone.
Cultural notes: what Americans expect
Americans value directness, politeness, and efficiency. Be honest. Don’t joke about sensitive subjects at border control. Carry the right documents, and don’t over‑explain. If you tell someone you’ll stay two weeks, say “two weeks,” not “maybe two, maybe three.”
Also, be ready for the oddities: gates change, announcements are muffled, the line will move when it wants to. Smile at fellow travelers. You might need a stranger to push your bag onto a scale.
Practice exercises to build confidence
Practice makes you less anxious. Try these quick exercises before your trip:
- Read your scripts aloud three times, record yourself once, listen and improve.
- Role‑play with a friend. One person is the officer; the other practices.
- Memorize key numbers: flight number, baggage tag number, hotel address.
Confidence can be polite and brief. The more you practice, the less you’ll translate word by word.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Over‑explaining. Keep answers short.
- Saying “I’m visiting” without details. Have an address or hotel ready.
- Forgetting the time zone. Check departure times carefully.
- Hiding food. Declare food items honestly; it saves time and stress.
If you make a mistake, correct it quickly: “Sorry, I meant [correct information].” People appreciate clarity.
Final checklist before leaving the airport
You’re almost through. Before you leave the airport area:
- Collect passport, boarding pass, and any forms.
- Take a photo of your baggage claim ticket.
- Double‑check your phone number on any lost baggage forms.
- Confirm transport to your hotel (ride‑share pick‑up spots differ by airport).
A calm exit feels like a small miracle. Enjoy it.
Book a short Zoom session
If you want personalized practice, click the link above in this article to book a short Zoom session with a native Ukrainian teacher. You can talk about your English goals, rehearse your scripts, and ask any questions aloud. For a free 15‑minute consultation, DM Sofiia on Instagram @youdoyou.school. She’ll help you feel less like a cactus in a snowstorm and more like a traveler who knows the words.
A few last words — and a little encouragement
Airports are strange cultural theaters where you perform tiny rituals for the chance to travel. You’ll be asked the same questions hundreds of people answer every day; the trick is to answer clearly and calmly. Use the scripts here, practice a little, and remember—airport people are generally helpful if you are polite and clear. You’ll do fine.
If you found this guide helpful, please clap the article, leave a comment about your own airport stories or questions, and subscribe to the Medium newsletter for updates. And remember to DM Sofiia on Instagram @youdoyou.school for a free 15‑minute consultation. Bon voyage — or, as you might prefer, щасливої дороги (shchaslyvoyi dorohy).