Practical and  Easy English

At the Airport

Traveling by air can be a lot of fun. It can also be very confusing dealing with travel agents and airline personnel. If traveling to a foreign country, a traveler has to interact with customs and immigration officials. There are several common expressions that are used when dealing with airlines, travel agencies and customs. Look at the examples below.

English Expressions- At the Airport

Expression Response
Would you like economy or first class tickets?      Economy class.
When would you like to depart?                             On Friday the 14th of next month.
Will that be round trip or one way?                         Round trip please.
Do you have any luggage to check in?                  I have two suit cases.
May I have your ticket please?                               Here you go.
Do you have anything to declare?                          No, I don’t

Dialogue- At the Airport

At a travel agency

Agent: May I help you?
Nancy: Yes, I need a ticket to Paris.
Agent: One way or round trip?
Nancy: Round trip.
Agent: When will you be leaving?
Nancy: Next month, the 2nd. I prefer a morning flight.
Agent: Do you want any particular airline?
Nancy: No, but I do want to go business class and have a direct flight.
Agent: When will you be returning?
Nancy: I want to return on the 15th of next month.
Agent: Let me check the computer. Yes, there is a flight available on Blue Skies Air Ways. The tickets are
   $1645.
Nancy: Sounds good, book it.
Agent: Thank you. You can pick up your tickets at this office on the 28th.
Nancy: Thanks.

At the airport check-in

Nancy: Hello
Agent: Hello. May I have your ticket and passport?
Nancy: Yes, here they are.
Agent: How many pieces of luggage will you be checking in?
Nancy: Just one, I also have one carry on bag.
Agent: Your luggage is two kilos over the limit. You will have to pay an extra charge of $100.
Nancy: No problem. Is cash OK?
Agent: Certainly.
Nancy: Here you go.
Agent: Thank you, have a nice flight.
Nancy: Thanks.

At Customs

Agent: Welcome to Paris. Do you have anything to declare?
Nancy: No.
Agent: Could you open your bag please?
Nancy: Sure, is everything OK?
Agent: Yes ma’am, enjoy you stay in Paris.
Nancy: Thanks.

Conversation Activities- At the Airport

1. Pair Work- discussion
    Have you ever flown on a plane? Tell your partner about it using some of the ideas
    for discussion below. Your partner should ask questions to get more information.

when and where you went
how long the flight took
the quality of the service from the flight attendants
how the flight was: (smooth or turbulent, relaxing or nerve-wracking)
did you enjoy it
do you like to fly

2. Pair work- role play
    Working with a partner, role play the situation, using the information below

The situation: At a travel agency asking for information for a flight.
The roles: A travel agent, a customer