Learn Hardcore Korean: bihaenggi aneseoneun ginaesigeul yocheonghal su isseoyo. - You can request an in-flight meal on the plane.

안에서는 is made up of 안에서 (“inside of”) plus the topic marker 는. Together they mean “as for inside (the plane)…,” setting inside the plane as the context or topic for what follows. Without 는, 안에서 would simply state the location (“inside”), but with 는 it emphasizes “when you’re inside” or “in that situation.”

Why is 비행기 안에서 written as three separate words instead of one?

In Korean, 비행기 (“airplane”) and 안 (“inside”) are each standalone nouns, and 에서 is a location particle meaning “at” or “in.” So you write:
• 비행기 (airplane)
• 안 (inside)
• 에서 (location marker)
Combined: 비행기 안에서 (“inside the airplane”).

What does 기내식 mean, and how is it formed?

기내식 means “in-flight meal” or “airplane food.” It breaks down into:
• 기내 (“cabin” or “in-flight”)
• 식 (“meal” or “food”)
You’ll often hear it on planes or in airline announcements when they refer to the meal service.

How is 요청할 수 있어요 constructed, and what’s its literal meaning?

This uses the potential construction -을/ㄹ 수 있다 (“to be able to”). Steps:

Start with the verb 요청하다 (“to request”).
Drop 다 to get the stem 요청하-.
Add the future/attributive -ㄹ → 요청할.
Attach 수 (“ability/possibility” noun).
Finish with 있어요 (“there is,” polite).
Literally: “There is the ability to request,” i.e. “You can request.”

Can I use 주문하다 or 부탁하다 instead of 요청하다 for 기내식을 요청하다?

• 주문하다 generally means “to order” (food/drinks) in a restaurant context.
• 부탁하다 means “to ask someone for a favor.”
• 요청하다 is more formal/polite and fits service situations (like on a plane).
So 기내식을 요청하다 is the most natural way to say “request an in-flight meal.”

What level of politeness is 요청할 수 있어요, and how could I make it more formal?

-어요/-아요 endings (like 있어요) are polite but not overly formal—good for speaking to service staff. To be more formal (e.g. announcements, official guides), use -습니다:
비행기 안에서는 기내식을 요청할 수 있습니다.