33 - The deal is off!
Language for booking a flight
Paul, the boss, is sending Anna and Tom on a business trip to France. He wants them to clinch the deal with a company which is interested in buying their Imperial Lemons. But has Tom got more than business on his mind?
Intermediate · 170215 · 2017-02-15
Paul, the boss, is sending Anna and Tom on a business trip to France. He wants them to clinch the deal with a company which is interested in buying their Imperial Lemons. But has Tom got more than business on his mind? Language for booking a flight This episode focuses on what to say when you need to book a flight.
1. What is the outbound and return date?
US Revised: What is the outbound and return date?
2. Do you want to fly business or economy?
US Revised: Do you want to fly business or economy?
3. Do you want a fixed or flexible ticket?
US Revised: Do you want a fixed or flexible ticket?
4. Would you like a window or aisle seat?
US Revised: Would you like a window or aisle seat?
5. Have you got a frequent flyer number?
US Revised: Have you got a frequent flyer number?
1. Narrator
Hello again. Well, this is very exciting! Paul, the boss, is sending Anna and Tom on a business trip to France. He wants them to clinch the deal with a company interested in buying their Imperial Lemons. But has Tom got more than business on his mind?
US Revised: Hello again. Well, this is very exciting! Paul, the boss, is sending Anna and Tom on a business trip to France. He wants them to clinch the deal with a company interested in buying their Imperial Lemons. But has Tom got more than business on his mind?
2. Tom
Really? What... me and Anna... to France?
US Revised: Really? What... me and Anna... to France?
3. Paul
Yes but make sure you get that contract signed. We need the business.
US Revised: Yes but make sure you get that contract signed. We need the business.
4. Tom
Yeah, yeah, of course. Are we staying overnight?
US Revised: Yeah, yeah, of course. Are we staying overnight?
5. Paul
There's no money for that - just get there and come straight back. Oh and could you bring back those nice French cookies that have in the duty-free shop?
US Revised: There's no money for that - just get there and come straight back. Oh and could you bring back those nice French cookies that have in the duty-free shop?
6. Tom
Sure. So, Anna, we're off on vacation together are we?!
US Revised: Sure. So, Anna, we're off on vacation together are we?!
7. Anna
No! But I've got to book the flights online, can you help me please?
US Revised: No! But I have to book the flights online, can you help me please?
8. Tom
It's not my thing. I'm sure Denise will help. I need to go and pack for this trip.
US Revised: It's not my thing. I'm sure Denise will help. I need to go and pack for this trip.
9. Denise
Yes Marge... in the cupboard... envelopes apparently... Tom and Anna... oh here she is... got to go Marge... bye. Hello Anna, everything OK?
US Revised: Yes Marge... in the cupboard... envelopes apparently... Tom and Anna... oh here she is... got to go Marge... bye. Hello Anna, everything okay?
10. Anna
Sort of. I've got to go to France with Tom.
US Revised: Sort of. I have to go to France with Tom.
11. Denise
Yes, I know. I thought you'd be pleased to go with Tom, after your time in the stationery cupboard with him!
US Revised: Yes, I know. I thought you'd be pleased to go with Tom, after your time in the stationery cupboard with him!
12. Anna
I was just finding an envelope Denise. Anyway, I'm worried about booking the flights online. I usually book flights at a travel agent's.
US Revised: I was just finding an envelope Denise. Anyway, I'm worried about booking the flights online. I usually book flights at a travel agent's.
13. Denise
It's company policy now, we have to do everything online - even my food shopping - but don’t tell Paul.
US Revised: It's company policy now, we have to do everything online - even my food shopping - but don’t tell Paul.
14. Anna
Oh right. So where shall I begin?
US Revised: Oh right. So where should I begin?
15. Denise
Pull up a chair Anna and we'll log on. Right let's start with the British Airlines website. There. London to Marseille. What is the outbound date?
US Revised: Pull up a chair Anna and we'll log on. Right let's start with the British Airlines website. There. London to Marseille. What is the outbound date?
16. Anna
Going out tomorrow, back tomorrow.
US Revised: Going out tomorrow, back tomorrow.
17. Denise
Business class or Economy class? I think we'll say Economy.
US Revised: Business class or Economy class? I think we'll say Economy.
18. Anna
That's cheaper I guess. What's this mean? Flexible or fixed?
US Revised: That's cheaper I guess. What's this mean? Flexible or fixed?
19. Denise
A flexible ticket means you can change your flight but a fixed one means you can't - and that's cheaper so we'll choose that one. I'll book you on the 8am flight from Heathrow and flying home at 6pm. I just need to type in your full names now and select your seats. Window or aisle?
US Revised: A flexible ticket means you can change your flight but a fixed one means you can't - and that's cheaper so we'll choose that one. I'll book you on the 8am flight from Heathrow and flying home at 6pm. I just need to type in your full names now and select your seats. Window or aisle?
20. Anna
I'll what?
US Revised: I'll what?
21. Denise
No Anna. A seat by the aisle or by the window?
US Revised: No Anna. A seat by the aisle or by the window?
22. Anna
Oh, an aisle seat please, Denise.
US Revised: Oh, an aisle seat please, Denise.
23. Denise
Good. What's your frequent flyer number?
US Revised: Good. What's your frequent flyer number?
24. Anna
Oh I don't have one of those.
US Revised: Oh I don't have one of those.
25. Tom
What's that? Frequent flyer number? Here I've got a gold status card, can you stick my number in?
US Revised: What's that? Frequent flyer number? Here I've got a gold status card, can you stick my number in?
26. Denise
Gold status! Where did you get that?
US Revised: Gold status! Where did you get that?
27. Tom
Oh, I've flown loads of times for business. I've done deals all around the world.
US Revised: Oh, I've flown loads of times for business. I've done deals all around the world.
28. Narrator
He means he's been on lots of jollies - free trips paid for by the company - and all he's come home with is a sun tan!
US Revised: He means he's been on lots of jollies - free trips paid for by the company - and all he's come home with is a sun tan!
29. Denise
Hmm, really. Right I just need to pay now... using the company account of course.
US Revised: Hmm, really. Right I just need to pay now... using the company account of course.
30. Tom
Cool. Now, what do you think of my sunglasses?
US Revised: Cool. Now, what do you think of my sunglasses?
31. Anna
Lovely Tom. Denise has booked you a window seat OK?
US Revised: Lovely Tom. Denise has booked you a window seat okay?
32. Tom
No! Sorry I can't sit by the window... I’m... errr...
US Revised: No! Sorry I can't sit by the window... I’m... errr...
33. Denise
Yes Tom?
US Revised: Yes Tom?
34. Tom
Well, I mean, it's only polite that the lady sits by the window.
US Revised: Well, I mean, it's only polite that the lady sits by the window.
35. Denise
Really?!
US Revised: Really?!
36. Narrator
What's Tom like?! Hopefully he'll prove a useful business partner for Anna on the trip to France. Here's a reminder of some of the questions you may be asked when booking a flight... What's the outbound and return date? Do you want to fly business or economy? Do you want a fixed or flexible ticket? Would you like a window or aisle seat? Have you got a frequent flyer number?
US Revised: What's Tom like?! Hopefully he'll prove a useful business partner for Anna on the trip to France. Here's a reminder of some of the questions you may be asked when booking a flight... What's the outbound and return date? Do you want to fly business or economy? Do you want a fixed or flexible ticket? Would you like a window or aisle seat? Have you got a frequent flyer number?
37. Denise
There you go you two, your e-ticket. Now don't forget your passports.
US Revised: There you go you two, your e-ticket. Now don't forget your passports.
38. Tom
Thanks Denise. Hey Anna, I'm so pleased that we're on this trip together. It'll be nice to spend some time with you.
US Revised: Thanks Denise. Hey Anna, I'm so pleased that we're on this trip together. It'll be nice to spend some time with you.
39. Anna
Yes and to do some business and really show Paul we are his best employees.
US Revised: Yes and to do some business and really show Paul we are his best employees.
40. Tom
Oh yeah, of course... I just wondered...
US Revised: Oh yeah, of course... I just wondered...
41. Anna
Yes?
US Revised: Yes?
42. Tom
Is there any chance I could sit in the aisle seat?
US Revised: Is there any chance I could sit in the aisle seat?
43. Narrator
I've got a feeling Anna's in for a bumpy ride. Find out how their trip goes next time on English at Work. See ya!
US Revised: I've got a feeling Anna's in for a bumpy ride. Find out how their trip goes next time on English at Work. See ya!
Question
Does Anna want a window or an aisle seat on the plane?
Answer
Aisle.