Travelling by Air

For me there is nothing like travelling by air; it is comfortable, convenient and of course too quicker than any other method. There is none of the dust and dirt of a railway journey. Besides travelling itself is a thrilling thing. On all airlines travellers get excellent service. The safety and comfort of the passengers is the first consideration of any airways company. The members of the aircrew are always at your service. You may always ask them for information or assistance. Before passengers get on board of the plane they have their luggage registered that is weighed and labelled. There is no need to worry about your suitcase any longer; it will be taken care of by any of the many white-aproned porters at the airport. In due time he will put it into the luggage compartment of the plane.

If you go abroad, no matter how you are travelling by sea, by land or by air, you have to get your luggage through the customs. Then your flight is called and you are allowed to get on board of the plane and take your seat. Just before the plane takes off the stewardess gives the passengers all the necessary information about the flight, landing times of the airports, the speed, announces the name of the pilot and the altitude at which the plane will be flying. Then she asks the passengers to fasten their seat belts, then you stram yourself with a belt. The plane runs along the concrete runways picking up speed and takes off smoothly. The seats of the plane are comfortable and you can sit and read, look out of the windows and enjoy the sight or sleep until you arrive at your airport. You can have breakfast in Moscow, dinner in London, Paris or Berlin, or supper in New York. If you want to read, ask the stewardess for a supply of newspapers or magazines. The cabin is sound-proof, the air inside the cabin is always fresh and warm and it is easy to breathe as on the ground. Only when the plane is ascending or descending you feel the difference in the air pressure on your eardrums or you feel airsick when the plane hits an air pocket but it’s only temporary. On the whole high up in the sky you have a feeling of security and hardly think of an air crash. When the plane lands and you reach your destination in a few hours safe and sound, you realize the advantages of travelling by air. With all the time-saving and added comfort that travelling by air gives the passengers, no wonder an ever greater number of people prefer going by air.

Answer the following questions

1. What are advantages of travelling by air? 2. What do travellers get on all airlines? 3. What is the first consideration of any airways company? 4. What can you ask the members of the aircrew for? 5. Who takes care of your luggage? 6. What kind of information does the stewardess give before the plane takes off? 7. Why is it easy to breathe on board the plane as on the ground? 8. When do you feel the difference in the air pressure? 9. Do you think of an air crash high up in the sky? 10. Why do a lot of people prefer going by air?

Fill in the blanks with prepositions and adverbs where necessary

1. For me there is nothing like travelling … by air. 2. … all airlines travellers get excellent service. 3. The members … the aircrew are always … your service. 4. Before passengers get … board … the plane they have their luggage registered. 5. If you go… abroad you have to get your luggage … the customs. 6. Before the plane takes off the stewardess gives the passengers all the necessary information … the flight. 7. The seats of the plane are comfortable and you can sit and read, look … … the windows and enjoy the sight or sleep until you arrive … your airport. 8. High up … the sky you have a feeling of security and hardly think … an air crash. 9. Passengers should pay … excess luggage. 10. Hand luggage includes … handbags, brief-cases, umbrellas and coats. 11. You show your ticket … the departure gate.

Grammar