You are at the airport. You need to check in, drop your bag, and get a good seat. But then the board says your flight is late. Stay calm, be polite, and talk it through.
It is Friday evening. The airport is very busy. There are lots of people, and the big board shows many flights. You are flying to Lisbon tonight, and you need to be there by morning.
You go to the check-in desk with your bag. You want three easy things: to check in, a good seat, and your bag to go all the way to Lisbon. This part is simple. You are calm and polite.
Then you see a problem. The board says your flight is late — delayed. You are not happy, but you do not shout. You ask calm questions, and the person at the desk helps you. When you are polite, people help you more.
Warm up — talk for one minute
Do you like flying? What is good about it, and what is not so good?
When your bus or train is late, how do you feel? Do you get angry, or do you stay calm?
Who's who
You
The Traveller ✈️
Tired, but calm and polite. You want to check in, get a good seat, and — when the flight is late — some help and a clear plan.
The other person
The Check-in Agent 🛄
Friendly and busy. They can give you a good seat, take your bag, and help with the delay — if you stay calm and kind.
Next: learn the phrases you need in the next tab. Then see them in a real conversation. Look at the calm, polite words: please, thank you, can I, is that a problem? Small words like these help a lot.
Useful Phrases 🧰
Here are the phrases for this conversation. Read each one and say it out loud once. Choose the ones you like. Keep this page open when you practise.
The shape of this conversation
1 · Check in2 · Your bag3 · A late flight4 · A new plan
It's a map, not a script. Real talk can skip steps or go back.
Cover it later, when you want to test yourself.
When you're the traveller
🛫 Check in
"I would like to check in, please."
"Can I have an aisle seat, please?"
🧳 Your bag
"I think my bag is a little heavy. Is that a problem?"
"Can you send my bag to Lisbon?"
⏳ A late flight
"How long is the delay?"
"That is a shame, but these things happen."
✈ A new plan
"Is an earlier flight possible?"
"Thank you very much! You are very kind."
When you're the check-in agent
"Can I see your passport?"
"Do you have a bag to check in?"
"Your flight is two hours late."
"Here is your boarding pass."
When something changes
"Which gate is it?"
"What time do we board?"
"Can I carry this bag on?"
When you need help
"Sorry, can you say that again, please?"
"Can you speak more slowly, please?"
"Do you mean…?"
"How do you say … in English?"
Speed round 🎯
Draw a card. Say what you would say, out loud. Then look at one answer.
Press the button to start.
Try a few more rounds with the toolkit covered. When it feels easy, you are ready.
The Conversation 💬
Read it out loud, one person each, then change. Find the phrases from your toolkit. Listen for the calm, polite words.
AgentGood evening! Where are you flying today?
YouGood evening. I am flying to Lisbon, on the eight-forty. But I got a text about a delay.
AgentLet me look for you. Can I have your passport and your booking, please?
YouHere you are. I have one bag to check in. And can I have an aisle seat, please?
AgentOf course. You have seat 22C — that is on the aisle. Now, please put your bag on the scale.
YouHere it is. I think my bag is a little heavy. Is that a problem?
AgentLet me see… twenty-three kilos. That is fine! It is not too heavy.
YouGood, thank you. Can you send my bag to Lisbon, please? I don't want to take it in Madrid.
AgentYes, no problem. Now, about the delay — your flight is now at half past ten.
YouOh. That is a shame, but these things happen. How long is the delay — about two hours?
AgentYes, about two hours. I am sorry. Here is a voucher — you can get some food while you wait.
YouThank you very much! That is very kind.
AgentYou're welcome. Your gate is number 14. Please watch the board. Have a good flight!
From memory — don't look up!
1. At the desk, the traveller asks for two things. What are they?
2. The traveller thinks the bag is too heavy. Is there a problem? What does the agent say?
3. The flight is late. What does the agent give the traveller for the wait?
1. An aisle seat, and to send the bag all the way to Lisbon (so they don't have to take it in Madrid). 2. No, there is no problem. The bag is twenty-three kilos — the agent says that is fine, not too heavy. 3. A voucher for some food while they wait. The agent also tells them the gate (number 14) and says to watch the board.
Your Turn 🎭
No script this time. You have a real talk with a real person. You have a goal.
1 · Warm up your voice 🎤
Say each sentence out loud. Use your own words in the gaps.
Check in. I would like to ___, please.
Your bag. My bag is ___. Is that a problem?
A late flight. How long is the ___?
A new plan. Is ___ possible?
2 · The scene 🎬
Pick a situation. Your partner plays the other person.
Your card
Where
The situation
You have
You want
Your ruleUse "Can I…?" and "please".
Who you're talking to
🏆 Check in and get the seat you want.
⏱ 3:00
Twist deck
🎲 Something changes
Start the scene. After a minute, draw a card. What it says just happened.
Nothing has changed yet.
3 · Swap seats 🔁
Now you are the other person. Your partner takes your old part.
Your card
WhereThe airport check-in desk
Your goalCheck the traveller in and solve the problem
Your partnerPlays the traveller now
Draw another twist if you like.
4 · Afterwards ✅
Tick what you did, in either seat.
Phrases I want to use next time
Go again
⚡ Same situation, one more time
Do it again. Draw a twist before you start. Try to do it faster this time.
The Echo 🕰️
In 1937, a pilot called Amelia Earhart tried to fly all the way around the world. She was two-thirds of the way there when her plane went missing over the sea. There was no board, no gate, no kind agent to help her find a new flight.
She flew with an old radio and small maps. She flew into big storms. Today, you wait safely inside, warm and dry, while other people work to keep you safe.
So next time the board says your flight is late, try to think of it a different way. A late flight is not so bad. Amelia would love the small problem you have tonight.