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Language Foundation

now boarding

Now boarding is the status in which passengers for a flight are currently being called to board the aircraft at the gate.

In plain English

This means the airline has started calling passengers for that flight to go onto the plane. It describes a current stage at the gate, not an earlier or later one.

In context

Here, "now boarding" reports that boarding calls for this flight are currently in progress at the gate.

Situation
Checking in, passing airport steps, boarding, connections, and flight status
What it communicates
reports active boarding status

Meaning limits

By itself, this term does not say whether every passenger has already boarded or whether boarding is almost finished.

Examples

“The flight is now boarding, but several passengers are still waiting for their group to be called.”

Core meaning

“Since their flight is now boarding, the family leaves the café and heads to the gate.”

In context

  • flight status Broader Term

    This is one kind of flight status.

  • final boarding call Narrower Term

    This is a more specific boarding status that adds that boarding is close to ending.