Have you ever been to an airport
in a foreign country and find yourself in trouble with the directions, the service staff or the beautiful hostess?
Maybe at the ticket office or at the customs did not understand what they wanted from you. For this reason it is important to learn some expression and the most common ways of speaking English at the airport .
From check-in to your flight, let's see what you have to say to make you understand!
in a foreign country and find yourself in trouble with the directions, the service staff or the beautiful hostess?
Maybe at the ticket office or at the customs did not understand what they wanted from you. For this reason it is important to learn some expression and the most common ways of speaking English at the airport .
From check-in to your flight, let's see what you have to say to make you understand!
Situation 1: At the
check-in desk
check-in desk
Common phrases and vocabulary words: "Where are you flying to today?” the agent may ask “What’s your final destination?” The answer will be the same! • You can say "Here you go" when you give something to somebody. To check your bags means to put them on the airplane inside the cargo compartment. The small bag you take with you on the airplane is called a carry-on. You need to put your carry-on bags through the X-ray machine at security. Identification (ID) Your ID or your personal identification is your official document that you need to ensure you are who you really are. • The scale is the equipment that tells you the weight of your luggage (45 kilograms, for example) • A stopover or layover is when the airplane stops in a different city before continuing to the final destination • If the agent says that your luggage will go straight through, it means it will go directly to the final destination (and you don’t need to pick it up during your stopover) • Boarding passes are the tickets that permit you to enter the airplane • When a plane begins boarding, it means that the passengers start to enter the plane. Usually boarding time is 30-60 minutes before takeoff (when the plane leaves) Tips and Suggestions: • If you don’t know where the check-in desk is, you can ask an airport employee, “Excuse me, where is the check-in desk?” or, “Excuse me, where is the ... Airlines check-in desk?” • If your bag is heavier than the weight limits, or if your bag is larger than the size limits, you may need to pay an oversized baggage fee or overweight baggage fee One-way (ticket) If you ask for a one-way ticket it means that you do not want to return to your destination. The opposite of a one-way ticket is a return ticket. - Hi, I’d like to book a one-way ticket to Hong Kong • On time If your flight number is on time, it means that it will depart at the right time. Delayed If your flight has been delayed, it means that it’s late. Liquids
All airports do not allow passengers to travel with more than 100ml of liquids, like water, perfume... All liquids you carry on the plane must be put in a plastic bag. |
At the check-in desk Agent: Good afternoon! Where are you flying to today? You: Los Angeles. Agent: May I have your passport, please? You: Here you go. Agent: Are you checking any bags? You: Just this one. Agent: May I have your ID card, please? Agent: OK, please place your bag on the scale. You: I have a stopover in Chicago – do I need to pick up my luggage there? Agent: No, it’ll go straight through to Los Angeles. Agent: Here are your boarding passes – your flight leaves from gate 15A and it’ll begin boarding at 3:20. Your seat number is 26E. You: Thanks Extra questions
You will probably be asked some extra security questions before or during check-in. Here are some sample questions and the correct responses: Agent: Did you pack your bags yourself? You: Yes. Agent: Has your luggage been in your possession at all times? You: Yes. Agent: Are you aware of the regulations regarding liquids in your carry-on, which must 3.4 ounces or less and placed inside a single quart-sized transparent plastic bag? You: Yes. |
Situation 2: Going through security
There are two pieces of equipment in security: you put your bags through the X-ray machine, and you walk through the metal detector. The Xray machine has a conveyor belt that moves your bags automatically through the machine. You can put small items like keys or money into plastic bins.
On the plane
The people who work inside the airplane serving food and drinks are called flight attendants. Both men and women who have this job are called flight attendants. |
Agent: Please lay your bags flat on the conveyor belt, and use the bins for
small objects. You: “Do I need to take my laptop out of the bag? Agent: Yes, you do. Take off your hat and your shoes, too. (you walk through the metal detector) [BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP] Agent: Please go back. Do you have anything in your pockets – keys, cell phone, loose change? You: I don’t think so. Let me try taking off my belt. Agent: Okay, come on through. (you go through the metal detector again) Agent: You’re all set! Have a nice flight. The phrase “you’re all set” is a common expression that means “you’re finished and everything is OK.” |
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