Travelling by air

Travelling by air is more convenient than by train because it saves you time though it does not save money. Distances more than 2000 km can now be covered by modern passenger planes on non-stop flights without landing to refuel. Statistics shows that traveling by air is as safe as by train. Last time I traveled by air two years ago when I was on holiday in the Caucasus I booked a ticket fifteen days in advance. On the appointed day after packing my luggage, I proceeded to the airport by bus. In the hall of the airport there were a lot of people waiting for boarding the plane. Before the flight passenger must register at the airport. When registering the passenger is required to have his luggage weighed after which the attendant attached a special tag to it. Each passenger is allowed 20 kilograms of luggage free of charge. There is no need to worry about suitcase, it will be looked after. The registration stopped half an hour before the time of take-off. Soon we heard the voice of announcer calling the plane going south: “Boarding the plane Flight 217 begins. Passenger is invited to take their places.” I said good-bye to my friends who came to see me off and with the other passengers went to a special bus which took us to the plane on the runway. On board the plane the stewardess helped us get comfortable in the reclining seats adjustable to some positions. I sat back and relaxed. Very soon the plane took off. At that moment we saw the notice “No smoking. Fasten your seat-belts.” In a few minutes we were above the clouds. During the flight we got information of the altitude, speed, the weather and the distance covered. The stewardess served us mineral water, juice, tea, sweets and sandwiches. Besides, newspapers and magazines were offered to the passengers. Everybody felt comfortable and nobody was airsick. The plane landed exactly on time.

Ex. 12. Say what is not allowed to do (to have) on board the plane.

Model: Passengers are not allowed to make a noise on board the plane.

• to have heavy luggage

• to smoke

• to unfasten belts when the plane is taking off or landing

• to speak with the pilot

• to have a weapon (оружие)

• to take strong drinks

• to enter the cockpit (кабина пилота).

Ex. 13. Describe services available on board the plane.

Model: Passengers can have (be given) mineral water on board the plane.

• to have a snack

• to ask for juice or any soft drink

• to offer the newspaper

• to give information about speed, altitude and the distance covered

• to send a telegram from board the plane

• to see video films during the flight

• to ask the stewardess for a medicine.

Ex. 14. What will you say if you want to ask about the flight?

Is there any flight to

Los Angeles Vienna Rome London Moscow Paris New York Washington Zurich Geneva Munich …..

on Sunday? on Monday? on Friday? on Wednesday? on Tuesday? on Thursday? on Saturday? …..

Ex. 15. Say what class you need and what flight you prefer.

I need

an economy class, a first class, a business class, a tourist class,

and I prefer

a morning flight. a night flight. an evening flight. an afternoon flight.

Ex. 16. Give the information about tickets.

There are is

two tickets a ticket three tickets some tickets

for the fist class, for the business class, for the economy class, for the tourist class,

the morning flight the night flight the evening flight the afternoon flight

Lufthansa Company. Pan American. Company. Aeroflot. Dalavia.

Ex. 17. Read the short dialogue.