How to Get the Best Seat When You Fly
How to Get the Best Seat When You Fly
https://student.grablingo.com/materials_units/1867
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
board
Verb
boʊrd
to get on a ship, plane, train, or bus
Your flight has already started to board.
upgrade
Noun
ˈʌpɡreɪd
the act of giving someone a better seat, room, car, etc. than the one they paid for
The lady at the check-in desk offered me a free upgrade to business class.
frequent flyer
Noun
ˌfriːkwənt ˈflaɪər
a person who flies often, especially someone who is a member of an airline program that offers rewards
This offer is only available to frequent flyers.
charge
Verb
tʃɑːrdʒ
to make someone pay an amount of money for something
How much do they charge for a haircut?
trade
Verb
treɪd
to exchange something you have for something another person has
I used to trade baseball cards when I was a kid.
aisle
Noun
aɪl
a passage between rows of seats in a church, aircraft, etc.
The flight attendant is standing in the aisle.
Exercise 2
Article
How to Get the Best Seat When You Fly
The right seat on a flight can make the difference between a good and bad journey. But what do you do if you can't get the seat you want?
First, check again online before you fly, or try calling the airline. Some seats may have become available since you bought your ticket.
If that doesn’t work, try changing seats at the gate right before you board. You could even ask for an upgrade, although these are usually only given to frequent flyers.
Your last chance to change seats is on the plane. "Most flight attendants don’t mind if passengers change seats," says Michael, a flight attendant on a US airline.
However, even if there are empty seats, don't just take one – sit in your own seat until the doors close and wait to see if another passenger sits in it.
If the seat you want is far away, politely ask a flight attendant if you can have it – they may save it for you if someone else asks for it. But don't expect to get a seat by the emergency exit: most airlines charge extra for these seats, and flight attendants don't think it's fair to let people move there for free.
If the seat you want is beside you, don't change until you're sure nobody else is coming, or ask the passenger if they mind changing when they arrive. Passengers in middle seats are more likely to trade if you offer them a window or aisle seat.
Exercise 3
Questions
Is it a good idea to call the airline if you want to change seats on a plane?
Who usually gets upgrades on flights?
Do most passengers prefer middle or aisle seats?
Exercise 4
Discussion
Where do you prefer to sit when you fly? Why?
Have you ever paid extra for a better seat on a plane? Please explain your answer.
Have you ever asked another passenger to trade seats? If so, did they agree? If not, why not?
What do you do to make sure you're comfortable when you fly? Please explain your answer.
What's the worst flight you've ever been on? What made it so bad?
Exercise 5
Further Discussion
Do you usually book flights online? If so, what websites do you use? If not, why not?
How often do you talk to the people sitting next to you when you fly? Please explain your answer.
Have you ever had a decent meal on a plane? Please explain your answer.
Do you think you'd enjoy working as a flight attendant? Why? Why not?
The only thing I like about air travel is it gives me time to read. - Jane Lindskold. What do you like about air travel?
