TravelSpeaking roleplay

Checking in at the airport in English

Check in, drop a heavy bag, ask about a delay or get rebooked after a missed flight, out loud, with a check-in agent who reacts to what you say.

Your level

Tom, check-in agent

Hi there. Passport and booking reference, please.

Your goal Check in, sort out a heavy bag and ask about a delay.

Example conversation: checking in at the airport

How the roleplay can go at each level, with answers that work. In the roleplay, Tom reacts to your own words, so it can go differently.

BeginnerCheck in, drop your bag and find out your gate.

Tom
Good morning. Where are you flying to today?
You
I'm flying to London.
Tom
Great. Are you checking any bags today?
You
Yes, just one bag.
Tom
Okay. Put it on the scale, please. Would you like a window or an aisle seat?
You
A window seat, please.
Tom
A window seat, sure. Here's your boarding pass. Any questions?
You
Which gate is it?
Tom
It's gate 14, on the left. Have a good flight!

IntermediateCheck in, sort out a heavy bag and ask about a delay.

Tom
Hi there. Passport and booking reference, please.
You
Here's my passport. The reference is on my phone.
Tom
Thanks. Your bag's two kilos over. Pay thirty euros, or take things out?
You
I'll take a few things out.
Tom
Great, that's under the limit now. Just so you know, the flight is running late.
You
Oh no. How long is the delay?
Tom
About forty minutes. We leave at eleven. Would you like to change your seat?
You
Could I sit next to my friend?
Tom
Of course. Here's your boarding pass. It's gate B7.

Upper intermediateYou missed a connection: get rebooked and ask what the airline covers.

Tom
Next, please. How can I help?
You
My connecting flight left without me.
Tom
The Toronto flight's gone. It's seven forty tomorrow, or standby tonight.
You
I'd rather go on standby, but can you keep the morning seat?
Tom
Standby it is. I'll hold the morning seat. You might be here tonight. Anything else?
You
What am I entitled to? Is there a hotel?
Tom
You get a hotel and a meal voucher. And your bag goes straight through to Toronto.
You
Could you make sure it gets there? And put that in writing?
Tom
Of course. Here's your new booking. Sorry about this.

The phrases the roleplay listens for at each level. Use one and it lights up in the roleplay.

Beginner

Intermediate

Upper intermediate

Things people often say here, and a more natural way to say them. If you say one in the roleplay, you see the fix under your answer.

Instead ofI go to London.
SayI'm flying to London.
For a trip now, say “I’m flying to…”.
Instead ofWindow place please.
SayWindow seat please.
On a plane, it’s a “seat”.
Instead ofWhat time is the boarding?
SayWhat time is boarding?
No “the” here: what time is boarding?
Instead ofMy bag is overweight two kilos.
SayMy bag is two kilos over.
Put the amount first: two kilos over.
Instead ofHow much late is the flight?
SayHow late is the flight?
Ask “How late is it?” or “How long is the delay?”
Instead ofA seat near of the exit.
SayA seat near the exit.
“Near” needs no “of”: near the exit.
Instead ofI lost my connection.
SayI missed my connection.
You miss a flight. You lose things.
Instead ofCan you assure me that my luggage arrives?
SayCan you make sure my luggage arrives?
“Make sure” is the everyday phrase.
Instead ofYou must give me a hotel.
SayCould you give me a hotel?
A question gives them room to say yes.

Eleven more everyday situations, each at three levels. See them all.