Vocabulary
10 key words for this lesson
CHECK-IN COUNTER
The desk where you register for your flight and leave your bags.
Please go to check-in counter 14.
BOOKING REFERENCE
The code that identifies your reservation.
Your booking reference is on your confirmation email.
CHECKED BAG
A suitcase that goes in the plane's hold, not with you.
You're allowed one checked bag of 23 kg.
CARRY-ON
A small bag you take with you onto the plane.
Your carry-on must fit in the overhead bin.
WINDOW / AISLE SEAT
A seat next to the window / next to the corridor.
Could I have an aisle seat, please?
BOARDING PASS
The document that lets you get on the plane.
Here's your boarding pass. Gate B12.
BAGGAGE TAG
A label with your destination attached to a checked bag.
Keep the baggage tag receipt.
GATE
The place where you get on the plane.
Boarding is at gate 22.
VISA
An official permission to enter a country.
Do you need a visa for Canada?
DIETARY PREFERENCE
The type of food you need, e.g. vegetarian or gluten-free.
Do you have any dietary preferences for the meal?
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
CHECK IN
To register for your flight at the airport or online.
You can check in online 24 hours before.
Here is my passport and booking reference.
Give your documents to the agent.
"Good morning. Here is my passport and booking reference."
Could I have a window / an aisle seat, please?
Ask for a seat preference.
"It's a long flight. Could I have an aisle seat, please?"
I have one bag to check and one carry-on.
Explain your luggage.
"I have one bag to check and one carry-on."
I have a special request…
Ask for a special meal or assistance.
"I have a special request — a vegetarian meal, please."
Boarding will commence in about an hour.
The agent tells you when boarding starts.
"Your gate is B12. Boarding will commence in about an hour."
In Action
Hear how these phrases sound in real B2B situations
“"Commence" is a formal word for "start". Airlines use formal language: "proceed to", "commence", "prior to departure".”
Register
Understand when and how to use each phrase — formal, neutral, or informal
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
TimGood morning. Where are you flying today?
Good morning. To Toronto. Here is my passport and booking reference.
Thank you. Do you have an eTA or a visa for Canada?
Yes, I have an eTA. It's linked to my passport.
Perfect. How many bags are you checking today?
I have one checked bag and one carry-on.
Please place it on the scale… 21 kilos, that's fine. Do you have a seat preference?
Could I have an aisle seat, please? And I have a special request: a vegetarian meal.
Done. Here's your boarding pass. Seat 24C, gate B12. Boarding will commence in about an hour.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
Here is my passport and booking— — —.
Sentence 2
Could I have an— — —seat, please?
Sentence 3
I have one bag to— — —and one carry-on.
Sentence 4
Boarding will— — —in about an hour.
Sentence 5
You can check— — —online 24 hours before.
Sentence 6
Your carry-— — —must fit in the overhead bin.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.What is a carry-on?
2.What does "commence" mean?
3.Which seat is next to the corridor?
4.In the dialogue, how heavy is Tim's bag?
5.What special request does Tim make?