
Changing Your Airplane Seat in Korean
Requesting a seat change on an airplane in Korean requires specific phrases to communicate your needs effectively to airline staff. This guide provides essential expressions for asking to change your seat, specifying preferences like window or aisle, and confirming the change, ensuring a smoother travel experience when flying with Korean airlines or transiting through Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most direct way to express your desire to change your airplane seat.
- Expression: 비행기 좌석 변경 (bihaenggi jwaseok byeongyeong)
Pronunciation: bi-heng-gi jwa-seok byun-gyung
Meaning: Airplane seat change (This noun phrase refers to the act of changing an airplane seat.)
Initiating the Request
Use these phrases to start the conversation about changing your seat with airline staff.
- Expression: 좌석을 변경하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: jwa-seo-geul byun-gyung-ha-go ship-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to change my seat. - Expression: 혹시 좌석 변경이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hok-shi jwa-seok byun-gyung-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to change my seat, by any chance? - Expression: 다른 좌석으로 바꿀 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jwa-seo-geu-ro ba-kkul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I possibly switch to a different seat? - Expression: 제 좌석을 좀 바꿔주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: je jwa-seo-geul jom ba-kkwo-ju-shil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please change my seat? - Expression: 좌석 변경을 요청합니다.
Pronunciation: jwa-seok byun-gyung-eul yo-cheong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I request a seat change. - Expression: 지금 좌석을 바꿀 수 있습니까?
Pronunciation: ji-geum jwa-seo-geul ba-kkul su it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Can I change my seat now? - Expression: 좌석 관련해서 문의할 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jwa-seok gwal-lyeon-hae-seo mun-ui-hal geo-shi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have a question regarding my seat. - Expression: 실례지만, 좌석 변경 가능한지 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: shil-lye-ji-man, jwa-seok byun-gyung ga-neung-han-ji yeo-jjwo-bwa-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, may I ask if it’s possible to change seats? - Expression: 제 현재 좌석이 조금 불편해서요.
Pronunciation: je hyun-jae jwa-seo-gi jo-geum bul-pyeon-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: My current seat is a bit uncomfortable. - Expression: 혹시 빈 좌석이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-shi bin jwa-seo-gi in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any empty seats, by any chance? - Expression: 좌석을 옮기고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: jwa-seo-geul om-gi-go shi-peun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to move seats.
Specifying Seat Preferences
Clearly state what kind of seat you are looking for.
- Expression: 창가 쪽 좌석으로 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: chang-ga jjok jwa-seo-geu-ro bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: A window seat, please. - Expression: 복도 쪽 좌석으로 주세요.
Pronunciation: bok-do jjok jwa-seo-geu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: An aisle seat, please. - Expression: 앞쪽 좌석으로 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ap-jjok jwa-seo-geu-ro ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a seat towards the front possible? - Expression: 뒤쪽 좌석이라도 괜찮습니다.
Pronunciation: dwi-jjok jwa-seo-gi-ra-do gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A seat towards the back is fine too. - Expression: 비상구 좌석으로 앉을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: bi-sang-gu jwa-seo-geu-ro an-jeul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I sit in an emergency exit row seat? - Expression: 옆자리가 비어있는 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeop-ja-ri-ga bi-eo-in-neun go-shi in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a seat where the adjacent seat is empty? - Expression: 다리를 뻗을 수 있는 공간이 있는 좌석이면 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: da-ri-reul ppeo-deul su in-neun gong-gan-i in-neun jwa-seo-gi-myeon jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would prefer a seat with legroom. - Expression: 화장실에서 가까운 좌석으로 부탁합니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-shil-e-seo ga-kka-un jwa-seo-geu-ro bu-tak-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A seat near the restroom, please. - Expression: 화장실에서 먼 좌석으로 주세요.
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-shil-e-seo meon jwa-seo-geu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A seat far from the restroom, please. - Expression: 조용한 구역의 좌석이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han gu-yeo-gui jwa-seo-gi it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there a seat in a quiet section? - Expression: 친구/가족과 함께 앉고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: chin-gu/ga-jok-gwa ham-kke an-go ship-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to sit together with my friend/family. - Expression: 가능한 한 앞쪽 창가 좌석으로 부탁드려요.
Pronunciation: ga-neung-han han ap-jjok chang-ga jwa-seo-geu-ro bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: A window seat as far forward as possible, please.
Confirming and Finalizing
Use these expressions to check availability, confirm the change, and express gratitude.
- Expression: 가능한 좌석이 있는지 확인해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ga-neung-han jwa-seo-gi it-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-shi-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check if there are any available seats? - Expression: 추가 요금이 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga yo-geum-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an additional charge? - Expression: 네, 그 좌석으로 변경해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu jwa-seo-geu-ro byun-gyung-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please change me to that seat. - Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. - Expression: 변경된 좌석 번호가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: byun-gyung-doen jwa-seok beon-ho-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the new seat number? - Expression: 새 탑승권을 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: sae tap-seung-gwon-eul ba-deul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a new boarding pass? - Expression: 언제 좌석을 옮기면 되나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je jwa-seo-geul om-gi-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When should I move to the new seat? - Expression: 죄송하지만, 다른 옵션은 없을까요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-reun op-shyeon-eun eop-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, but are there any other options? - Expression: 잠시만요, 생각해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: jam-shi-man-yo, saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment, I’ll think about it. - Expression: 도움 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-um ju-shyeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help. - Expression: 확인되었습니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s confirmed. / Understood.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding cultural nuances can enhance your interactions.
- Politeness is Key: Always use formal language (using -습니다/-ㅂ니다 or -아요/-어요 endings) and polite expressions like 실례지만 (shillyejiman – excuse me) and 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida – thank you) when speaking with airline staff.
- Flexibility: While staff will try to accommodate requests, seat changes depend heavily on availability, especially on full flights. Be prepared for the possibility that your preferred seat might not be available.
- Timing: It’s generally best to request a seat change at the check-in counter or the boarding gate before boarding begins. Requesting a change after boarding might be more difficult unless there’s a specific issue with your assigned seat.
- Emergency Exit Rows: Passengers seated in emergency exit rows must meet specific criteria (age, physical ability, language proficiency) to assist in an emergency. Staff will verify this.
- Stating Reasons: Briefly mentioning why you want to change (e.g., need legroom, want to sit with family) can sometimes help, but keep it concise and polite.
Real Conversation Example
This demonstrates how a conversation about changing seats might unfold.
- Situation: A passenger wants to change their middle seat to an aisle seat after boarding.
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Roles: A: Passenger, B: Flight Attendant
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Expression: A: 실례지만, 혹시 좌석 변경이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: shil-lye-ji-man, hok-shi jwa-seok byun-gyung-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, is it possible to change my seat, by any chance? - Expression: B: 네, 무슨 문제 있으신가요? 아니면 원하시는 좌석 타입이 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, mu-seun mun-je i-sseu-shin-ga-yo? a-ni-myeon won-ha-shi-neun jwa-seok ta-ip-i i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, is there a problem? Or do you have a preferred seat type? - Expression: A: 지금 가운데 좌석인데, 혹시 복도 쪽 빈 좌석이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum ga-un-de jwa-seo-gin-de, hok-shi bok-do jjok bin jwa-seo-gi it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m in a middle seat now, are there perhaps any empty aisle seats? - Expression: B: 잠시만요, 확인해 보겠습니다. (잠시 후) 네, 복도 쪽 좌석 하나 비어 있습니다. 25C 좌석입니다.
Pronunciation: jam-shi-man-yo, hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. (jam-shi hu) ne, bok-do jjok jwa-seok ha-na bi-eo it-seum-ni-da. i-ship-o-C jwa-seok-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Just a moment, I will check. (After a moment) Yes, there is one aisle seat available. It’s seat 25C. - Expression: A: 아, 네! 그 좌석으로 변경해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: a, ne! geu jwa-seo-geu-ro byun-gyung-hae ju-shil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Oh, yes! Could you change me to that seat? - Expression: B: 네, 25C 좌석으로 변경해 드리겠습니다. 짐 옮기시는 것 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, i-ship-o-C jwa-seo-geu-ro byun-gyung-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. jim om-gi-shi-neun geot do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, I will change you to seat 25C. Shall I help you move your luggage? - Expression: A: 괜찮습니다. 제가 옮길게요. 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da. je-ga om-gil-ge-yo. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: It’s okay. I can move it myself. Thank you very much! - Expression: B: 네, 편안한 여행 되십시오.
Pronunciation: ne, pyeon-an-han yeo-haeng doe-ship-shi-o.
Meaning: You’re welcome. Have a comfortable flight.
Practice Tips
Knowing these phrases is the first step! Try practicing them out loud~ Imagine yourself at the check-in counter or talking to a flight attendant. Role-playing with a friend can also be super helpful! The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when you actually need to use them. Good luck, and happy travels! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)