Foundation · Travel

At the Airport

Your goal: check in, go through security and find your gate using short, safe sentences. Everything here is simple English you can use on your very first trip.

1

Survival Phrases

Check-in

  • Hello. I'm flying to São Paulo.
  • Here is my passport.
  • One bag, please.
  • Can I have a window seat, please?

Security

  • Do I take off my shoes?
  • It's only a laptop.
  • Sorry, I don't understand. Again, please?

Finding your gate

  • Excuse me, where is gate 12?
  • Is this the flight to Lisbon?
  • What time do we board?
Emergency phrase: if you understand nothing, say "Sorry, my English is basic. Can you speak slowly, please?" Airport staff hear this every day and they will slow down.
2

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue, then read it aloud twice: once as the passenger, once as the agent.

Agent: Good morning. Where are you flying today?

Marina: Good morning. To Lisbon.

Agent: Passport, please.

Marina: Here you are.

Agent: Are you checking a bag?

Marina: Yes, one bag.

Agent: OK, put it here, please. It's 21 kilos — that's fine.

Marina: Great. Can I have a window seat, please?

Agent: Sure. Seat 24A. Boarding is at 10:40, gate 12.

Marina: Sorry, which gate?

Agent: Gate 12. Have a good flight!

Marina: Thank you!

Listen & repeat: use the recording in your Classbook player, or read each line aloud and record yourself on your phone. Copy the rhythm, not the speed.
3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationFormal (staff, strangers)Informal (friends, family)
GreetingGood morning.Hi! / Hey!
Asking for somethingCould I have a window seat, please?Can I sit by the window?
Not understandingSorry, could you repeat that?Sorry, what?
Saying thanksThank you very much.Thanks! / Cheers!
Saying goodbyeHave a good flight. / Goodbye.See you! / Bye!
With airport staff, please and thank you do most of the polite work. You do not need long sentences to sound respectful.
4

Typical Mistakes (Portuguese interference)

  • I have 30 years. → I'm 30 years old. (tenho 30 anos)
  • I need to make the check-in. → I need to check in. (fazer o check-in)
  • Where is the gate 12? → Where is gate 12? (o portão 12)
  • I lost my flight. → I missed my flight. (perdi o voo)
  • I go to Lisbon tomorrow with my wife. → I'm flying to Lisbon tomorrow with my wife.
  • Actually I live in Brazil. → Currently I live in Brazil. (atualmente ≠ actually)
  • Can you repeat, please? — Yes, I can. → say Sorry? or Again, please? when you did not hear.
5

Culture Note

  • Airport queues are silent and personal. People keep space between them and rarely chat with strangers.
  • Security officers give direct orders — "Bags on the belt", "Step forward". This is normal, not rude.
  • Small talk is short. "Where are you flying today?" is a job question, not an invitation to tell your life story.
  • Time is exact. "Boarding at 10:40" means be at the gate before 10:40, not "around then".
  • Saying "sorry" when you bump into someone or block the way is expected everywhere.
6

Practical Task

  1. Write your own check-in. Copy the dialogue and change the city, the number of bags and the seat you want (window / aisle).
  2. Record it. Read both roles aloud on your phone. Listen once and repeat any line that felt slow.
  3. Ask three questions. Write one question for check-in, one for security and one for the gate.
  4. Real-life mission. Next time you see an airport sign, photo or video in English, find three words you now know (gate, boarding, departures).

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐say where you are flying and hand over your passport?
  • ☐ask for a window or aisle seat politely?
  • ☐ask someone to repeat information?
  • ☐ask where your gate is and what time boarding starts?
Bring your notes and your recording to class — your teacher will run this as a role-play.