L11U3-3 Dealing with flight problems

1 Expressions Flight problems

Listen to discuss bad news he receives about his flight.

has been delayed.
mechanical problems.
has been canceled
due to maintenance issues.

It's important that you understand messages about flight problems whether you get them as text messages, emails or by going to the airline's website. Notice the structure of the sentences with has + been.

Flight EA 654 to New Delhi has been delayed. It now departs at 5 p.m.

Flight EA 762 to Cairo has been canceled.

Reasons for flight problems

Airlines usually give a general reason for a flight delay or cancellation. In written messages, they often use the phrase due to; but when you're speaking to an agent, because of is more common.

Flight EA 762 to Cairo has been canceled due to maintenance issues.

A: Excuse me. What's going on with my flight?
B: I'm very sorry sir, but it has been canceled because of a security threat.

Put the text in the correct order.
Flight 734 has been canceled due to a security threat.

The flight has been delayed.

Flight 762 departs at 6:10 p.m.

Flight 734 has been canceled due to a security threat.

Flight 862 has been canceled because of bad weather.

The flight has been delayed.

call an airline representative.

Record what you hear.

The flight has been canceled due to bad weather.
It's been delayed because of a security threat.
There's a mechanical problem.
They're having maintenance issues.
Your flight now departs at 6 p.m.

2 Expressions Rebooking a flight

I have a serious problem.
My flight's been canceled.
It has been delayed due to maintenance.
I have a couple of options.
You would arrive six hours later.
We will put you in the VIP lounge.

Dialogue

[WILSON] My flight's been delayed? OK … Aww. What?! Canceled?!
[BRENT] Good afternoon. Sunset Travel. This is Brent speaking. How may I help you?
[WILSON] Hi, Brent. Uh, I have serious problem.
[WILSON] My flight's been canceled. I just got a text about it.
[WILSON] My name is Wilson Wan. W-A-N.
[WILSON] Uh, I can't remember the flight number, but I'm flying from Shanghai to Washington, DC.
[BRENT] OK. Let's see. And that flight is at 8 a.m.?
[BRENT] OK. I got you here, sir. It's SF688.
[BRENT] It says here that it has been delayed due to maintenance, but you're flying at 11 a.m.
[WILSON] No, no, no! I just go the text, and it said my flight is canceled!

[BRENT] OK. Just let me check for you, sir.
[BRENT] Oh, sorry. It has just updated and it says, yes – it has been canceled because of the maintenance.

[BRENT] One moment, sir. I have a couple of options.
[BRENT] One option is that you can fly the next day. It will be the exact same flight.
[WILSON] I, I, I can't do that! I have to be in Washington tomorrow!
[BRENT] OK. Let me check again, sir. Let's see.

[BRENT] OK. Let me check again, sir. Let's see.

[BRENT] Actually, I have a flight leaving at the original flight time at 8 a.m.
[BRENT] Uh, this time, flying through Madrid.
[BRENT] You would have a four-hour layover in Madrid, and then Madrid directly to Washington, DC.
[BRENT] It is a little bit longer.
[BRENT] You would arrive six hours later than your first flight, but you would arrive the same day.

[WILSON] OK, yeah. Please, give me that one.
[BRENT] OK. Sorry for the inconvenience, sir.
[BRENT] We will put you in the VIP lounge in Madrid.
[WILSON] Oh, that sounds great!
[BRENT] OK, sir. Is there anything else I can help you with today?

[WILSON] Oh, no. Thank you very much.
[BRENT] OK. Thank you for choosing Sunset Travel, and enjoy your flight, sir.

Explaining the situation

When your flight has been canceled, you need to contact an airline representative, either at the airport or on your phone, and explain your situation. They will need your name, flight number and a description of the problem.

Hi. I'm Martina Lopez, and I was on Flight 745 to Houston, the one that was just canceled.

Rebooking a flight
Some airlines will automatically rebook you on a subsequent flight. Don't hesitate to push for a better option.

A: We've rebooked you on the same flight tomorrow.

B: That won't work. I have to be there tomorrow morning.

A: OK. I have a couple of options that get you there tomorrow morning.

B: Great. What are they?

Be sure to confirm the information before you end the conversation, and get the changed flight information sent to you in an email or as a new boarding pass.

A: Let me make sure I got that right. It's EA 35 at 11 a.m.?

B: Yes, that's right. I'm sending an email confirmation now.

Complete the sentence.

That won't work.I have to be there tonight.

I have a couple of options to get you there tomorrow.

Let me make sure I got that right.

I'm sending the confirmation email right now.

Put the text in the correct order.

WOMAN:My flight was canceled,and I need to rebook.My name is Ana Wron.
MAN:I'm so sorry.Let me see what options I have for you.I have a flight at 4:20,arriving at 8:35 pm.
WOMAN:That's too late.I need to arrive by 6 o'clock for a business dinner.

MAN:Well,I have another flight that departs at 1:15 and arrives at 5:20 this evening.
WOMAN:That would be perfect.

Record what you hear.

I was on the flight that was just canceled.
We rebooked you on the same flight tomorrow.

That won't work. I have to be there tomorrow.

I have a couple of options for you.
Great. What are they?
Let me make sure that I got that right.
I'm sending a confirmation email now.

3 Reading Travel tips

Read the web article with travel tips for dealing with airline delays. Select the correct answer.

Pack lightly 轻装上阵
special kiosks 特殊信息亭
inclement 恶劣
kiosks 亭
hotel vouchers 酒店礼券

4 Final Task Canceled flight

Your flight from Rome to New York has been canceled. You need to arrive in New York today. Talk to an airline agent. Listen, then record the correct reply.

Let me get that straight. It arrives at 6:29?