sitting in the plane vs sitting on the plane

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Sitting in the plane' is used when referring to being inside the plane, while 'sitting on the plane' is used when referring to sitting on the seats of the plane.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 6282 views

sitting in the plane

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to being inside the plane.

This phrase is used when someone is physically inside the plane, sitting in a seat or in the cabin.

Examples:

I enjoy sitting in the plane and looking out the window.
The flight attendant asked us to remain seated in the plane until the doors were opened.

Show examples from the web [+]

Who's sitting in the plane?
I would be much happier sitting in the front of the plane, in first class.
Young man, I'm very nervous about sitting in the middle of the plane or the back of the plane.
I've been sitting in that plane for nine hours...
Wait till I'm sitting in a real plane.
They were on the plane sitting a couple of rows behind me.
That is a photograph sent by my liaison in the Paraguayan Army of your private plane sitting in an airfield just a few miles away from The Triple Frontier.
I've been sitting on planes for 72 hours.
For about the last two months, drivers working for the European Parliament have been repeatedly stopped and checked by the police, as was the case on Monday at Strasbourg Airport, while Members of Parliament were sitting on the plane.
Do you think, if you hadn't open that door late that night in Mexico city the two of us would be sitting on this plane now?
I was sitting next to her on the plane.
Are you saying the man who was sitting in 13-F was abducted, mid-flight without any depressurization of the cabin, without any effect on the plane?
I had a great time sitting next to you on the plane.
He was sitting behind the engine, toward the back of the plane.
On the plane, I was sitting across the aisle from that big guy with curly hair.
I really enjoyed sitting next to you on the plane, Chris.
All the traveling... being on the plane in that heat, sitting next to someone who...
But was he sitting next to you on the plane?
If you leave home and check in together, probably on the plane you'll be sitting... together.
Samantha and Darrin are sitting in their overcrowded apartment.

Alternatives:

sitting inside the plane
sitting within the plane
sitting on a plane seat

sitting on the plane

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to sitting on the seats of the plane.

This phrase is used when someone is sitting on the seats of the plane, rather than being inside the plane.

Examples:

I was sitting on the plane waiting for takeoff.
She found her lost book under the seat while sitting on the plane.

Show examples from the web [+]

For about the last two months, drivers working for the European Parliament have been repeatedly stopped and checked by the police, as was the case on Monday at Strasbourg Airport, while Members of Parliament were sitting on the plane.
I was sitting next to her on the plane.
I had a great time sitting next to you on the plane.
I really enjoyed sitting next to you on the plane, Chris.
But was he sitting next to you on the plane?
I've been sitting on planes for 72 hours.
They were on the plane sitting a couple of rows behind me.
Do you think, if you hadn't open that door late that night in Mexico city the two of us would be sitting on this plane now?
Who's sitting in the plane?
I've been sitting in that plane for nine hours...
Wait till I'm sitting in a real plane.
That is a photograph sent by my liaison in the Paraguayan Army of your private plane sitting in an airfield just a few miles away from The Triple Frontier.
I would be much happier sitting in the front of the plane, in first class.
He was sitting behind the engine, toward the back of the plane.
On the plane, I was sitting across the aisle from that big guy with curly hair.
Young man, I'm very nervous about sitting in the middle of the plane or the back of the plane.
All the traveling... being on the plane in that heat, sitting next to someone who...
You think flying a plane is just sitting on a chair pushing buttons?
If you leave home and check in together, probably on the plane you'll be sitting... together.
Or those angels sitting on your shoulder.

Alternatives:

sitting in a plane seat
sitting aboard the plane
sitting inside the aircraft

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sitting in the plane vs sitting on the plane