Lesson 28, 29, 30 (at the airport)
✈️ AT THE AIRPORT
From checking in to solving travel problems — practise real English, learn useful vocabulary and get ready for your next adventure!
🇬🇧 English · 🇺🇦 Ukrainian support · 🎯 Interactive practice
🧳 Check-in and Baggage
1. Warm-up: Let's talk!
💭 Imagine...
You're flying to a country you've always wanted to visit. Where are you going, and why?
🎒 Your suitcase
What are three things you always pack? What do you never take with you?
😂 Airport habits
Are you the person who arrives three hours early or the person who runs to the gate?
🪟 Window or aisle?
Which seat do you prefer? Would you pay extra to choose your seat?
Speaking challenge: give a reason for every answer. Try using because, but, so, usually, sometimes.
2. Essential vocabulary
Tap Show my practice on any card to hide or reveal the example sentence.
3. Useful phrases at check-in
🧍 Passenger
👩💼 Check-in agent
4. Collocations: words that go together
зареєструватися на рейс
We checked in online yesterday.пакувати валізу
I packed my suitcase last night.зважити багаж
They weighed our luggage at the desk.пропустити рейс
Don't leave late or you'll miss your flight.забронювати рейс
We booked our flights online.обрати місце
You can choose a seat when you check in.5. Mini-dialogue: A suitcase surprise
Agent: Good morning. Where are you flying today?
Passenger: I'm flying to Rome. I'd like to check in, please.
Agent: Of course. May I see your passport?
Passenger: Here you are.
Agent: Are you checking in this suitcase?
Passenger: Yes. Is it too heavy?
Agent: I'm afraid it's two kilos overweight.
Passenger: Oh no! Can I move some things into my hand luggage?
Agent: Yes, if your hand luggage meets the airline's rules.
Passenger: Great. And could I have a window seat, please?
Agent: Certainly. Here's your boarding pass.
6. Reading story: The Mystery of the Blue Suitcase
Emma was flying to Barcelona for a weekend with her best friend. She arrived at the airport early, but she was worried. Her blue suitcase was very heavy, and she wasn't sure if it was overweight.
At the check-in desk, the agent asked for her passport and checked her booking. Emma put her suitcase on the scales. It was three kilos over the limit!
“Oh dear! What can I do?” Emma asked. “You can remove a few things or pay an extra fee,” the agent explained.
Emma opened her suitcase. She found three books, two pairs of boots and a huge hairdryer. She moved the books and the hairdryer into her hand luggage, but the bag was now full.
“I think I'll leave the boots at home next time,” she laughed. Luckily, the suitcase was now the correct weight. Emma asked for a window seat and received her boarding pass.
As she walked away, she noticed a man holding a suitcase exactly like hers. He looked at her, then at his suitcase. “Excuse me,” he said, “is your suitcase blue, too?”
Emma looked down. Her suitcase was red. She had been so worried about the weight that she had picked up somebody else's bag! They laughed, exchanged suitcases and hurried towards their gates.
Reading check
1. Why was Emma worried?
2. What did she move out of her suitcase?
3. What was the final surprise?
7. Speaking: Tell me about it!
Personal experience
Have you ever had a problem with your luggage? What happened?
What is the strangest thing you have packed for a trip?
Make a decision
Your suitcase is 4 kg overweight. Would you pay, remove things or buy another bag? Why?
Would you rather sit next to a window or have extra legroom?
Imagine the situation
You have one small bag, but your airline says it is too big. What do you say?
You can't find your passport. What are your first three steps?
🎲 Random speaking question
Click the button to get a question.
8. Interactive worksheet: Complete the phrases
Choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. Can I see your _____, please?
2. I need to _____ in for my flight.
3. My suitcase is two kilos _____.
4. Could I have an _____ seat, please? I want to stand up easily.
9. Final speaking mission
🛂 Security, Gates and Boarding
1. Warm-up: Airport personality quiz
⏰ The time traveller
How early do you arrive at the airport? Is it better to wait or to hurry?
🛍️ The shopper
Do you like duty-free shops? What would you buy before a flight?
🧭 The explorer
Would you ask a stranger for directions or use your phone?
📢 The announcement expert
Have you ever missed an announcement? What happened?
2. Essential vocabulary
3. Useful phrases
Asking for directions
At security / boarding
4. Collocations
проходити контроль безпеки
We went through security quickly.встигнути на рейс
We ran to catch our flight.пропустити оголошення
I missed an announcement about our gate.перевірити табло вильотів
Check the departure board for updates.сідати на літак
Passengers can board the plane now.рейс затримується
Our flight is delayed by an hour.5. Mini-dialogue: Where is Gate 24?
Traveller: Excuse me, could you help me? I can't find Gate 24.
Airport worker: Of course. Go straight ahead and turn left after the café.
Traveller: Is it far from here?
Airport worker: It's about a five-minute walk. Check the departure board, too.
Traveller: Thank you! Is Flight 624 on time?
Airport worker: It was delayed by twenty minutes. Boarding starts at 11:40.
Traveller: That's a relief. I thought I'd missed it!
6. Reading story: The Great Airport Race
Leo and his sister Mia were travelling to London. They arrived at the airport with plenty of time, so they decided to have coffee. They were talking so much that they didn't hear the first announcement.
When Leo looked at the departure board, he saw that their boarding gate had changed from Gate 6 to Gate 26. “We need to hurry!” he said.
They joined the queue at the security check. Mia put her phone, keys and jacket in a tray. Leo forgot to take a bottle of water out of his bag. The security officer explained the rules, and Leo had to leave the bottle behind.
After security, they followed the signs. At the next corner, Mia stopped. “Is it left or right?” she asked. Leo checked the screen again. They turned right and finally saw Gate 26.
They arrived just as the staff made the final call. “Passengers for Flight 624, please board now!” Mia showed her boarding pass, and they walked onto the plane.
“Next time, no coffee until we find our gate,” Leo laughed. “And next time, I'll listen to the announcements,” Mia replied. They found their seats, fastened their seat belts and got ready for take-off.
Reading check
1. Why did Leo and Mia have to hurry?
2. What happened to Leo's water?
3. What did they hear at Gate 26?
7. Speaking: What would you do?
The wrong gate
You have 15 minutes until departure, and your gate is at the other end of the airport. What do you do?
The long queue
Security is very busy. You are worried about missing your flight. What could you say to a member of staff?
The delay
Your flight is delayed by three hours. How would you spend the time? Would you be angry or relaxed?
The announcement
You hear your name over the loudspeaker. What do you think has happened?
🎲 Random speaking question
Click the button to get a question.
8. Interactive test: Airport English
1. Where do you go to check whether a flight is on time?
2. “Please proceed to Gate 10” means...
3. Choose the correct collocation.
4. Your flight leaves later than planned. It is...
9. Pair-work worksheet: Give directions
Student A: You are at the information desk. Give directions using these phrases:
Student B: Ask how to get to these places:
Swap roles. Then give directions without looking at the phrases.
10. Final speaking mission
🌍 Airport Problems and Arrivals
1. Warm-up: Travel stories
😬 Worst-case scenario
Which would be worse: losing your passport, missing your flight or losing your luggage? Explain why.
🧳 Lost and found
Have you ever lost something important? How did you feel, and what did you do?
🗣️ Asking for help
Is it easy for you to ask strangers for help? Why or why not?
🛬 First moments
When you arrive in a new country, what do you want to do first: eat, explore, sleep or take photos?
2. Essential vocabulary
3. Useful phrases for problems
When something goes wrong
At arrivals
4. Collocations
забрати багаж
We collected our luggage after passport control.повідомити про проблему
You should report the problem to the airline.заповнити форму
I filled in a form about my missing suitcase.не встигнути на стикувальний рейс
We missed our connecting flight.попросити про допомогу
Ask for assistance at the help desk.подати скаргу
You can make a complaint if you are unhappy with the service.5. Mini-dialogue: The missing suitcase
Passenger: Excuse me, I need some help. My suitcase hasn't arrived.
Staff member: I'm sorry to hear that. Did you check all the carousels?
Passenger: Yes, I did. I've been waiting for forty minutes.
Staff member: Can you describe your suitcase?
Passenger: It's a large black suitcase with a red ribbon on the handle.
Staff member: Do you have your baggage tag?
Passenger: Yes, here it is. What should I do now?
Staff member: Please fill in this form. We'll contact you when we find your bag.
Passenger: Thank you. I hope it arrives soon.
6. Reading story: A Suitcase, a Sandwich and a Surprise
After a long flight, Nina finally arrived in Dublin. She was tired but excited. She followed the signs to passport control, waited in the queue and answered a few questions. Then she went to baggage claim.
She checked the screen and found the correct baggage carousel. Suitcase after suitcase appeared, but hers was nowhere to be seen. After forty minutes, Nina began to worry. Her hotel reservation, clothes and favourite green coat were all in that suitcase.
She went to the airline's help desk and explained the situation. The employee asked her to describe the bag and show her baggage tag. Nina filled in a claim form and gave the employee her phone number and hotel address.
“We will contact you when we have an update,” the employee said. “In the meantime, keep your baggage tag safe.” Nina thanked him and walked towards the arrivals hall.
Suddenly, a woman ran towards her. “Excuse me! Is this your suitcase?” she asked. It was a black suitcase with a green ribbon — almost exactly like Nina's. The woman had accidentally picked up Nina's bag because the ribbons looked the same from a distance.
They checked the luggage tags and exchanged the bags. Nina was delighted. “Next time, I'll put a much brighter ribbon on mine!” she said. Before leaving, she bought a sandwich and called her friend. Her first airport adventure in Ireland had been stressful, but it ended happily.
Reading check
1. Where did Nina go after passport control?
2. What did Nina do when her suitcase didn't appear?
3. Why did the woman take Nina's suitcase?
7. Speaking: Solve the problem!
🧳 Problem 1: Missing bag
Your suitcase hasn't arrived. Describe it and explain what is inside. Ask the airport staff what you should do.
⏳ Problem 2: Missed connection
Your first flight was delayed, and you missed your connecting flight. Explain the situation to the airline worker.
📄 Problem 3: Passport question
You don't understand a question at passport control. What polite phrases can you use?
🤝 Problem 4: Help a stranger
A tourist looks lost and can't find baggage claim. Give them directions and offer help.
🎲 Random speaking question
Click the button to get a question.
8. Interactive test: Solve the airport problem
1. Your suitcase hasn't arrived. Where should you report it?
2. What does “rebook a flight” mean?
3. Complete: “Could you _____ more slowly, please?”
4. Where do you usually collect your suitcase after a flight?
9. Speaking worksheet: Build your own dialogue
Choose one problem:
Plan your dialogue. Include:
Staff: I'm sorry to hear that. Can you describe it?
Passenger: It's a small blue suitcase with a yellow tag. What should I do?
Staff: Please show me your baggage tag and fill in this form.
Passenger: Of course. How will you contact me?
Staff: We'll use the phone number you provide.
Passenger: Thank you very much for your help.