Air Travel

Posted by MichikoNakamura Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:19:45 GMT

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Everyone has different reasons for traveling. If you want to find out what people like about traveling, you can ask them this question:

"What do you like the best about traveling?"

Someone might use one of these sentences to answer:

"I like meeting new people"

"I like to visit the neighbor islands for relaxation"

Another question you can ask is whether or not they are traveling for business or pleasure.

For example, you can ask:

"Is this trip for business or pleasure?"

After you decide your schedule for traveling, the next thing you need to do is buy the ticket. You also have to call to reserve the hotel. When you look for a hotel, you should find one that has a reasonable price and is in a convenient location.

When you call the travel agent, they will check out your ticket request on their computer. It might take some time so they usually ask to call you back.

Read this example:

Michael: I'd like to buy a ticket to Tokyo, Japan.

Michiko: I'll check some prices and get back to you.

If you want to reconfirm your flight, you can use one of these sentences.

"I'd like to reconfirm my ticket"

"I'd like to reconfirm my flight"

The travel agent may also ask you for more information such as your flight number and day of departure. In the conversation above, the customer used this sentence:

"I'm on flight 47, leaving on February 1st"

When you want to pick up someone at the airport, you should call the airport first. Read this conversation:

Clerk: Hello, Flying Airlines, may I help you?
Customer: Yes, what time does flight 57 arrive from Japan?
Clerk: That flight is a little late. It's due to arrive at 7:30am.
Customer: Thank you.

In this conversation, Flight 57 was late. So if you want to pick someone up, you'd better call the airport first. For example:

"What time does flight 57 arrive from Japan?"

"When is flight 57 expected to arrive from Japan?"

When you go the airport, the first thing you will need to do is check in your luggage. Another way to say "luggage" is "baggage" or "suitcase". You will have to wait in line for a little while. When you get to the front of the line, the reservationist will ask you for your ticket. Then they will ask you some questions.

You have a choice of a window seat or an aisle seat.   A window seat is good if you want to have a good view. An aisle seat is good if you need to walk around or go to the restroom a lot. If you're traveling with other people, you will probably want to sit together. You will need to ask the clerk this sentence:

"Can we have seats together?"

When you check in your luggage, make sure that you keep your carry-ons with you. Carry-ons are the small pieces of luggage that you carry with you onto the plane. Normally, you are allowed two carry-ons. They must be small enough to fit under your seat or in the overhead luggage compartments. After checking your bags, you will pass through an X-ray machine with your carry-on. You will need to put everything on the x-ray machine. Now you're ready to go to your gate. If the plane is late, you can ask the person at the desk:

"Is the plane leaving on time?"

                       or

"Is the plane going to be late?"

Now you're ready to get on the plane. They will call for boarding of
your flight. They might say:

"Flight #321 for Tokyo is now boarding at gate 43"

You will need to give the stewardess your boarding pass. Once you are inside the airplane, you will have to store your carry-on luggage. There are two places you can store them; one is under your seat and the other is overhead in the luggage compartments. Read this next conversation:

Passengar 1: Do you need any help with those bags?
Passengar 2: Yes, the overhead luggage compartment is full. Can you find a place for this bag Passengar 1: Sure. Oh, there's a space over here. Let me help you.    Uh… There you are.
Passengar 2: Thank you. You are very kind.
Passengar 1: No problem.

If you want someone to help you with your carry-ons, just ask one of the flight attendants. They will be more than happy to help you. You can say:

"The overhead luggage compartment is full"

"Can you find a place for this bag?"

When you need help with your carry-ons, you could say one of these sentences:

"Can you help me with these carry-ons?"

"Can you give me a hand with these bags?"

When you are in the airplane, you should try to be polite to the flight attendants. They have to work hard and not many people appreciate them. If you can say "thank you" and "please", it will make their work much more pleasant. Read this example:

Michael: Excuse me, may I have an extra blanket, please?
Michiko: Sure, I'll be right back.

       (pause)

Michiko: Here, you are.
Michael: Thank you very much.

This passenger was very polite. He said メpleaseモ and "thank you". Those two words are very rare for the flight attendant. If you need to ask for a blanket, you can say:

"Excuse me, may I have an extra blanket?"

This sentence is very useful. You can use it when you want to ask for anything.

Airplanes are famous for their delicious food. When the food cart comes to your seat, you will be given a choice of two different kinds of food. Read this example conversation:

Flight Attendant: Would you like steak or seafood?
Passenger: Deafood, please.
Flight Attendant: Here you are. What would you like to drink?
Passenger: I'll have apple juice, please.

After your long plane ride, you will be ready to stand up and walk around. Sometimes people will become sick during the flight.

Michiko: When I'm in the airplane, my ears become plugged up and they hurt.
Michael: If you feel sick, you can tell the flight attendant.
Michiko: I don't know what to say.

If the passenger becomes sick, they might use one of these sentences:

"My ears are plugged and they hurt"

"I feel nauseated"

If you label your bags, it will be much easier to find them. It will help to prevent your luggage from getting mixed up.

Read this conversation at the baggage claim area:

Passenger 1: That's my suitcase. Excuse me, can I get through? (aarrgghh) This suitcase feels heavier than when I left. I guess it must be from all of the souvenirs that I bought.
Passenger 2: Excuse me, I think that's my suitcase.
Passenger 1: Huh. No, I don't think so. The label says (pause) uhh, Michael Depoe. Oops, I'm sorry. I made a mistake.

The following sentences can be used in many different situations. For example, at the supermarket:

"Excuse me, can I get through?"

"Excuse me, I need to get through"

"Excuse me, would you let me through?"