"Onboard" or "in the plane " in my sentence

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.
Should I use "onboard" or "in the plane"?

"The baby was crying most of the time when he was onboard."

 

[GoesStation]

I'd say on the plane. "On board" is not impossible but I probably wouldn't think to say it. Note that "on board" is two words.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I'd say on the plane. "On board" is not impossible but I probably wouldn't think to say it. Note that "on board" is two words.

Why is it wrong to use "in" in English when talking about buses, trains, planes, and ships?

 

[Rachel Adams]

Because that is not the preposition we use with those means of transport.

Is the word "boat" the only exception? With "ferry" you also use on.

 

[GoesStation]

Is the word "boat" the only exception? With "ferry" you also use on.

It isn't an exception. It's the natural preposition for use with some kinds of boats.

 

[emsr2d2]

This is an example of things you will just have to memorise.

We travel:

in a car
in a taxi
in an airship
in a helicopter
on a motorbike
on a bus
on a train
on a tram
on a boat
on a ship
on a ferry
on a hovercraft
on a plane
on a coach
on foot

With the exception of "on foot", you could use "by" before the mode of transport instead of "in/on a".

 

[Rachel Adams]

I'd say on the plane. "On board" is not impossible but I probably wouldn't think to say it. Note that "on board" is two words.

Are they ever used together? "On board of the plane" or "on board of the ship"?

 

[GoesStation]

This doesn't answer your latest question, but I thought I'd note that when you board a ship, a member of the crew may welcome you aboard.

 

[GoesStation]

And if you're at an American train station, a conductor may holler "All aboard!" when the train is about to depart.