Air travel – B1+ English Vocabulary
Air travel
From boarding a plane to arriving at your destination, this upper-intermediate English vocabulary lesson covers essential terms and phrases related to air travel. Check the pictures below and read the definitions and descriptions.
Common verbs, verb phrases, and phrasal verbs
When you 1 board a plane, you get on it in order to travel somewhere.
- She boarded a plane to England.
When you 2 check in at an airport, you arrive and show your ticket before going on a flight. You can also check in online.
- I usually check in at the airport two hours before my flight departs.
When you 3 get on/off a plane, you enter or leave the plane.
- After getting on the plane, I tried to find my seat.
When you 4 pick up someone from the airport, you collect them there.
- Sam’s mother picked him up from the airport.
When you 5 drop off someone at the airport, you take them (usually by car) and leave them there.
- I dropped Tom off at the airport and watched him walk inside.
When a plane 6 takes off, it goes from the ground to the air.
- We were told to stay in our seats while the plane was taking off.
When a plane 7 lands, it goes from the air to the ground.
- Our flight landed at midnight.
If a flight is 8 delayed, it means it departs later than scheduled.
- Our flight was delayed, so we took off two hours late.
When you 9 go through security, you put your belongings through a machine to check for dangerous items.
- I had to empty my pockets when I went through security.
When you 10 book a ticket, you reserve and pay for a ticket. You can also book a ticket online.
- I booked my ticket online two months ago.
If you 11 take a connecting flight or make a connection, you catch another flight after you’ve landed at an airport so that you can reach your final destination.
- Although my flight was delayed, I managed to make my connection.
- There were no direct flights. si we had to take a connecting flight.
When you 12 change flights, you change your ticket to fly at a different time or date.
- I changed flights and arranged to fly one week later than planned.
At the airport
When you arrive at the airport, the first thing you’ll notice is the 1 terminal – a large building where all the airport’s main functions take place. Inside, your journey begins at the 2 check-in counter, where friendly airline staff help you get your boarding pass and check your luggage.
Next, it’s time to go through the 3 security checkpoint. Here, you’ll need to show your ID and boarding pass, and your bags will be scanned to ensure safety. Once you’ve passed through security, you’ll find yourself in the 4 departure lounge, a spacious area filled with shops, restaurants, and comfortable seating. It’s a great place to relax before your flight.
Your flight information will be displayed on the 5 departures and arrivals board. This board lists all departing and arriving flights, along with their gate numbers and departure times. Be sure to check it for any updates.
As your departure time nears, you’ll head to the 6 boarding gate, where airline staff will scan your boarding pass and guide you onto the plane. But before you can board, you may need to go through 7 customs/passport control, especially if you’re traveling internationally.
After your plane takes off from the runway, you’ll be on your way to your destination. When you arrive, it’s time to retrieve your luggage at the 8 baggage claim area. Finally, you’ve completed your journey through the airport – and your adventure can truly begin!
On the plane
When you get on the airplane, the first thing you’ll want to do is find your seat and stow your 1 carry-on luggage in the 2 overhead compartment above it. Depending on your preference, you might choose a 3 window seat for a view of the sky and landscapes below or an 4 aisle seat for easy access to the aisle.
When your belongings are safely stowed away and you’re comfortably seated, it’s time to fasten your 5 seatbelt. It’s an important safety measure that must be followed during takeoff, landing, and whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated.
Before takeoff, the 6 cabin crew will go over important safety information, including the location of the 7 emergency exits, how to use the 8 airsickness bag if needed, and where to find the 9 life vests.
The 10 captain, who is in charge of the flight, will keep you updated on the weather and the estimated time of arrival. The 11 flight attendants, often referred to as cabin crew, are there to assist you during the flight. They’ll check your 12 boarding pass and help you if you have any questions.
After completing the exercises in this lesson on Air Travel, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flashcards to revise and help you memorize the terms.
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