The counter is the first person-to-person moment of the trip. The agent is busy and the line behind you is long, so the talk is quick and follows the same order every time: passport, where you're going, how many bags, a question or two about what's inside, your seat, then the boarding pass. If you know the order, nothing surprises you.
Two words cause most of the confusion. To "check" a bag means the airline takes it and puts it under the plane. A "carry-on" is the bag you keep with you in the cabin. In the United States you'll hear "check" for everything at this counter: check in, check a bag, checked baggage.
Phrases
your opening line at the counter
hand it over as you say it
tells them how many bags go under the plane
the small bag you take onto the plane
a standard security question; answer yes or no, no jokes
heavier than the airline allows; there's usually a fee
the way to avoid an overweight fee
the paper or phone code that lets you onto the plane
for a trip with a connection; asks if you collect it on the way
a label for bags with breakable things inside
a soft way to ask for a better seat
the last question before you walk away
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.