Читать книгу Modern Business English for Industrial Engineers - Karlheinz Zuerl - Страница 43

There are several expressions to be used when travelling. Some examples: [1] [14]

Booking your flight

-I seem to have lost my ticket, but I’m booked on flight number LH 033.

-I’d like to book a(n) early morning/midday/late flight from Duesseldorf to Detroit for Thursday. Business class, please.

-I need to be in Detroit by lunchtime.

-I’d like to make as few stopovers as possible.

-I’d like to book a return flight from Detroit to Frankfurt, please.

-I’d like to confirm my reservation.

-I’d like to cancel my reservation.

You might hear someone say:

-I’m sorry, the plane is fully booked.

-I’m sorry, there are no seats available.

At checking in counter

-Where’s the check-in desk, please?

-I’d like to check in, please.

-I’d like to have a window seat/aisle seat.

-Could I have a window/aisle seat, please?

-Could I have a seat with extra legroom, please?

-Could you check that my frequent-flyer number has been put in?

-Which gate do I depart from?

-Is the flight on time/delayed?

Questions you are asked at check-in

- How many pieces of baggage do you want to check in?

-Is this your luggage?

-Do these bags belong to you?

-Did you pack your cases yourself?

-Does it contain any electrical items?

-Have you left it unattended at any time?

At the gate

You may hear over the loud speaker:

-Flight number 0747 is now boarding at gate number 38.

-Would all passengers for flight number Air France 162 please proceed immediately to gate number 38, where their flight is now ready for boarding.

-We are now boarding seat rows 20 to 30.

On board the plane

You might hear someone say:

-Excuse me, I think you might be sitting in my seat.

-Please fasten your seatbelt.

You may need to say:

-I wonder if you could put my bag somewhere safe for me. There doesn’t seem to be any more room in the overhead compartments.

-My overhead locker/tray table makes a terrible noise. Could you check it?

-May I have a glass of water/another glass of red wine, please?

and on long-haul flights¹...

- Could I have another blanket/pillow, please?

- I’m afraid I can’t get my radio to work. My headset seems to be broken. Could I have another one, please?

Problems on arrival

When you get off the plane you can’t find your luggage. Complain to the airline official and find out what’s happened to it. For example:

- Could you help me, please? My luggage hasn’t arrived.

- Where is my luggage (US: baggage)?

Some other problems:

- I’m afraid I’m not going to make the 2 o’clock meeting.

- I’m afraid I’m still at the airport.

- I’m afraid I’ve missed my connection.

- I’ve missed my connection flight, so what can I do?

-I’m sorry I’m so late. There were some technical problems, and we were over an hour late taking off.

-I’m afraid the weather is so bad that all flights have been cancelled. I’m hoping to catch the next flight tomorrow.

You might hear someone say:

-Do you have anything to declare?

Figure 2.1.12a: Have you ever had a talk with the crew of a plane to complain about services or to congratulate them on their service?