Flying on a plane?

Question

I have some doubt here. We can say "I will fly a plane next week" when we are the pilot. What about the situation when we are a passenger? I think some people use the same expression and we can also say "to travel by plane", "to be on the plane". However, is it possible to say "I'm flying on the/a? plane on Saturday"? or I fly on a plane regularly? Thanks!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

These would more likely be said as:

"I'm going to pilot a plane to ____ next week." By using the verb "pilot" you make it clear that you are the one in the pilot's seat.

"I'm going to fly to ____ next week." You're traveling as a passenger on an airplane. The verb "fly," in this sense, means to travel as a passenger on an airplane - so, to say, "fly on a plane," is redundant.

"I'm a regular flyer." You travel as a passenger on an airplane regularly.

Systemet · Answer

Thank you for your reply!

I haven't thought about the "to pilot" verb. Plus, you hit the nail on the head, I think, with this redundancy thing - I doubt we could fly on something other than planes these days. Magic carpets are passe, dragons too sparse.

Still, I wonder, would my sentences be considered incorrect?

Anonymous · Answer

The sentence, "I will fly a plane next week.", is grammatically okay, but this is textbook-type English that you'd never use in real speech. If you did, you'd get a puzzled look. The listener might wonder if you're a pilot or in the Air Force. The last thing he'd think is that you're going to be a passenger on a commercial flight.

The sentence, "I'm going to travel by plane.", meaning that you're going to fly as a passenger on an airplane to somewhere, is okay, but this is very formal, stilted English that you'd rarely hear in real life. If you said this, the listener might think you're trying to be snooty.

The sentence, "I'm going to be on the plane.", is okay. But this would only be used in a certain unusual situations. For example: A: "I'm flying to Vegas on the 7:30 flight tonight and I don't want to go there alone. Are you coming along or not? B: "Don't worry, I'm going to be on the plane."

The sentence, "I'm flying on the/a plane on Sat.", is okay grammatically, but again, this is textbook English that you wouldn't hear in real life. Plus, it's redundant, as "fly" means "on a plane."

The sentence, "I fly on a plane regularly.", is okay grammatically, but redundant.

Systemet · Answer

Oh, that's a great exhaustive answer, thank you very much, sir!

This really puzzled me lately - maybe a simple thing, but if you think about it ... It is good to hear an answer from sb with the language feel. I'm still in search for it in some language aspects. Cheers to you!

Mister Micawber · Answer

Just to be clear, this is a very natural and common use of the present continuous for a near future plan:

I'm flying (to Chicago) on Saturday

Systemet · Answer

Thank you for your comment Mister!

I knew it already, it is one of the present continuous uses, but it may help other learners, so that's a definitely useful comment!

Cheers!

Flying on a plane?

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