Vocabulary Lessons

Airplane travel is one of the most common forms of transportation to get to overseas destinations, but making plane reservations and buying plane tickets are only the first steps. You need to know what to do and what to say once you arrive at the airport.

Listen to the words below. Write a sample sentence for each word to practice how it is used in context. You can use the internet to find such sentences.

Listen to the recording to hear how the words are pronounced.

• aisle (noun): the walkway between rows of seats on a plane
  – He walked down the aisle to find his seat.
• aisle seat (noun): a seat located next to the walkway on a plane
  – She prefers an aisle seat so she can get up easily.
• baggage claim area (noun): the place in an airport where passengers collect their checked luggage
  – We waited at the baggage claim area for our suitcases.
• boarding area (noun): the section of an airport where passengers wait to get on the plane
  – Passengers gathered in the boarding area before the flight.
• boarding pass (noun): a document that allows a passenger to board a flight
  – Please have your boarding pass ready before entering the gate.
• carry-on luggage (noun): small bags that passengers bring with them onto the plane
  – He packed his laptop in his carry-on luggage.
• cockpit (noun): the area at the front of the plane where the pilot sits and controls the aircraft
  – The pilot entered the cockpit before takeoff.
• emergency exit (noun): a door used to leave the plane quickly in case of danger
  – The flight attendant pointed out the nearest emergency exit.
• flight attendant (noun): a person who helps and serves passengers on an airplane
  – The flight attendant offered everyone a drink.
• gate (noun): the area where passengers board a specific flight
  – Our flight is boarding at gate 24.
• lavatory (noun): the bathroom on an airplane
  – He stood up to use the lavatory during the flight.
• life jacket (noun): a piece of safety equipment worn to help a person float in water
  – The flight attendant showed passengers how to put on a life jacket.
• metal detector (noun): a device used to find hidden metal objects on a person
  – He walked through the metal detector at security.
• overhead compartment (noun): the storage space above passenger seats on a plane
  – She placed her bag in the overhead compartment.
• oxygen mask (noun): a device that provides air to breathe in an emergency
  – An oxygen mask dropped down during the safety demonstration.
• pilot (noun): the person who flies the airplane
  – The pilot announced the flight time over the speaker.
• seat belt (noun): a strap that secures a passenger in their seat
  – Please fasten your seat belt before takeoff.
• security checkpoint (noun): the area where passengers and bags are checked for safety before entering the airport gates
  – We arrived early to get through the security checkpoint.
• security officer (noun): a person who checks passengers and luggage for safety
  – The security officer asked him to remove his shoes.
• terminal (noun): a building at an airport where passengers check in and board flights
  – Our flight departs from terminal 3.
• ticket counter (noun): the place where passengers check in and get their tickets
  – She went to the ticket counter to check her bags.
• tray table (noun): a small folding table attached to the seat in front of you on a plane
  – He placed his drink on the tray table.
• window seat (noun): a seat located next to the window on a plane
  – She always requests a window seat to see the view.
• X-ray machine (noun): a device that scans bags to see what is inside
  – He placed his bag on the belt to go through the X-ray machine.

What are the most important points you look for when choosing an airline for your next flight? Rank the following points from the most to least important: price, destination, length of flight, on-time record, meals, comfort and seating, and customer service.

Then, choose a destination and compare two different airlines and see which company suits your needs for your next flight.