Flight Booking

Rahul books his first flight ticket online for a trip, comparing prices and choosing seats before confirming payment.

Meanings in Rahul, Airline customer care

Key words and phrases

flight ticketa ticket for travel by airplaneHe booked a flight ticket to Delhi.

one-waytraveling to a place without returning on the same ticketHe booked a one-way ticket.

round tripa journey to a place and backA round trip ticket was cheaper this time.

baggage allowancethe amount of luggage allowed per passengerHe checked his baggage allowance before packing.

boarding passa document allowing a passenger to board a flightHe downloaded his boarding pass on his phone.

seat selectionthe process of choosing a seat on a flightHe chose a window seat during seat selection.

layovera stop between flights on the way to a destinationThere was a two-hour layover in Mumbai.

check-inthe process of confirming your presence before a flightOnline check-in opened three hours before the flight.

farethe price paid for a journeyThe fare increased closer to the travel date.

compare pricesto check different prices before choosing oneHe compared prices across three websites.

cancellation policythe rules about cancelling a booking and getting money backHe read the cancellation policy before paying.

refundmoney given back after a cancelled bookingHe got a partial refund after cancelling.

travel insurancea policy that covers losses during travelHe added travel insurance to his booking.

frequent flyera passenger who travels often and earns loyalty pointsHe joined the frequent flyer program for discounts.

e-ticketan electronic ticket sent by email instead of paperThe e-ticket arrived in his inbox within minutes.

promo codea code that gives a discount on a bookingShe entered a promo code to save money.

payment gatewayan online system that processes card or bank paymentsThe payment gateway confirmed his transaction instantly.

itinerarya detailed plan of a journey, including flight timesHe printed his itinerary before leaving home.

connecting flighta flight taken after another to reach the final destinationHe had a connecting flight from Mumbai to Delhi.

economy classthe standard, less expensive class of air travelHe always books economy class to save money.

Useful sentences

Ask Are you booking a one-way or round trip ticket?
Answer A round trip, since I'm coming back next week.
Ask What is the baggage allowance for this flight?
Answer Fifteen kilograms for check-in luggage.
Ask Would you like to choose your seat now?
Answer Yes, I'd prefer a window seat.
Ask Is there a layover on this route?
Answer Yes, a short one-hour layover in Mumbai.
Ask When does online check-in open?
Answer It opens forty-eight hours before departure.
Ask What is the cancellation policy for this fare?
Answer You'll get a partial refund if you cancel early.
Ask Should I add travel insurance to my booking?
Answer It's a good idea in case your plans change.
Ask Do you have any promo code I can use?
Answer Yes, this one gives you ten percent off.
Ask Will I receive an e-ticket after payment?
Answer Yes, it will be emailed to you immediately.
Ask Is this a direct flight or a connecting flight?
Answer It's a connecting flight through Mumbai.

Dialogue

RahulI'm trying to book a flight to Bangalore next month.

Airline customer careWould you like a one-way or round trip ticket?

RahulRound trip, please. Can I also select my seat now?

Airline customer careOf course. Would you prefer a window or an aisle seat?

RahulA window seat, please. What's my baggage allowance?

Airline customer careFifteen kilograms check-in and seven kilograms cabin baggage.

RahulGreat. What's your cancellation policy if my plans change?

Airline customer careYou can get a partial refund if you cancel 24 hours before departure.

RahulThat sounds fair. Should I also add travel insurance?

Airline customer careIt's optional, but I'd recommend it. I'll email you the e-ticket once payment is done.

Common mistakes

Saying "I am booking flight" instead of "I am booking a flight" (don't drop the article "a").
Saying "Ticket is for going and coming" instead of "It's a round trip ticket" (use the standard term).
Saying "I will check-in the flight" instead of "I will check in for the flight" (use "check in for," not "check-in the").
Saying "give me refund" instead of "give me a refund" (don't drop the article "a").
Saying "I will take insurance of my travel" instead of "I will take out travel insurance."
Saying "my flight is connecting from Mumbai" instead of "I have a connecting flight through Mumbai."

Quick quiz

1. What do you call a journey to a place and back?

2. Complete: "There was a two-hour ___ in Mumbai."

3. What document allows a passenger to board a flight?

4. Complete: "You'll get a partial ___ if you cancel early."

5. What is a "connecting flight"?

6. An electronic ticket sent by email is called a/an ___.

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