Conversation at the airport check-in desk

Check-In Officer: Good afternoon! Where are you flying to today? (OR What is your final destination?)

Lisa: I am flying to Los Angeles.

Check-In Officer: May I see your passport, please?

Lisa: Yes Sure. Here you go.

(Note: You can say “Here you go” anytime you give something to somebody.)

Check-In Officer: Can I have your ticket, please?

Lisa: Here you are.

Check-In Officer: Would you like a window or an aisle seat?

Lisa: An aisle seat, please.

Check-In Officer: Would you like to upgrade to business / first class?

Lisa: No, economy class will do.

Check-In Officer: Do you have any baggage?

Lisa: Yes, this suitcase and this carry-on bag.

Check-In Officer: Are you checking any bags?

(Note:  “To check your bags” means to put them on the airplane inside the cargo compartment. The small bag you take with you on the airplane is called a carry-on. You need to put your carry-on bags through the X-ray machine at security. )

(Note: You can ask, “How many bags can I check?”)

Lisa: Just this one. Would you please mark this bag as “fragile” as I have some sensitive items in this bag that might break.

(Note: “Please mark this bag as ‘fragile.’” Say this if you have fragile or sensitive items in your bag that might break.)

Check-In Officer: OK no problem. Well, This bag is overweight. You will have to pay extra for this.

(Note: If your bag is heavier than the weight limits, or if your bag is larger than the size limits, you may need to pay extra: an over sized baggage fee or overweight baggage fee (this can be $75 to $300). Some airlines in the United States also charge a fee for ALL checked bags (usually $15 to $30).)

Lisa: How much is the fee?

Check-In Officer: $75.

Lisa: OK, here you go.

Check-In Officer: Please place your bag on the scale.

(Note: The scale is the equipment that tells you the weight of your luggage (45 kilograms, for example))

Lisa: I have a stopover in Chicago – do I need to pick up my luggage there?

(Note: A stopover or layover is when the airplane stops in a different city before continuing to the final destination.)

Check-In Officer: No, it’ll go straight through to Los Angeles.

(Note: If the agent says that your luggage will go straight through, it means it will go directly to the final destination (and you don’t need to pick it up during your stopover))

Lisa: Oh great. Thank you.

Check-In Officer: Here are your boarding passes – your flight leaves from gate 9A and it’ll begin boarding at 2:30. Your seat number is 12B. Have a nice flight.

(Note: Boarding passes are the tickets that permit you to enter the airplane. When a plane begins boarding, it means that the passengers start to enter the plane. Usually boarding time is 30-60 minutes before takeoff (when the plane leaves))

Lisa: Is the flight on time.

Check-In Officer: Yes, the flight is on time. (OR there is 20-minute delay.)

Lisa: Thank you.