Every line has a ▶ button — tap it to hear that line spoken, one word at a time.
Derek: Good morning! Where are you flying today?
Where are you flying today? — the check-in greeting · answer with your final city: "San Diego."
Mia: San Diego, with a connection in Dallas. I'd like to check one bag.
check a bag · a connection — check = send it in the hold · a connection = you change planes on the way · nonstop = no connection
Derek: Sure. Can I see your ID, please?
your ID — a REAL ID driver's license or a passport · since May 2025 an old license isn't enough
Mia: Here you go.
Derek: Thanks, Mia. Go ahead and put your bag on the scale.
the scale — the limit is 50 lb (23 kg) · the weight shows on the agent's screen
Mia: Is it under the limit?
Derek: Forty-six pounds, you're fine. Any power banks or spare batteries in there?
power banks — carry-on only, never in a checked bag · the agent asks every time
Mia: No, my charger is in my tote bag.
Derek: Perfect. It's checked through to San Diego. Here's your claim tag, and your gate is B twenty-two.
checked through — your bag changes planes by itself · the claim tag = the sticker with the bag's number
Mia: When does boarding start?
Derek: Seven forty. The door closes fifteen minutes before departure, so don't cut it close.
the door closes — be at the gate 30 minutes before · cut it close = leave very little time
Mia: Got it, thanks!
Mia: Hi. The kiosk printed my bag tag, but the scale says fifty-four pounds.
the kiosk — self-service check-in: scan your code, print your bag tag and boarding pass
Derek: Yeah, that's over fifty. That's an overweight fee, a hundred dollars.
an overweight fee — 51–70 lb ≈ $100 · over 70 lb ≈ $200 · or move things to your carry-on
Mia: A hundred dollars? Could I move some things to my carry-on instead?
carry-on · personal item — carry-on · 22 × 14 × 9 in, the overhead bin | personal item · under the seat in front of you
Derek: Sure. Take out four or five pounds. Shoes are usually the heavy part.
Mia: Okay, give me a second. How about now?
give me a second — wait a moment · also: hang on, one sec
Derek: Forty-nine and a half, you made it. But bag drop closes forty-five minutes before departure, so you're cutting it close.
bag drop closes — domestic 45 min · international 60 · after that your bag can't fly with you
Mia: Oh no. Is that enough time?
Derek: You're fine, but head straight to security. The wait is about fifteen minutes.
head straight to security — head = go · the wait = the line time, shown in the airport app
Mia: Will do. Thanks!
Mia: Hi. I'm checked in, but I got a middle seat. Is there anything by the window?
window · middle · aisle — window | middle | aisle
Derek: Let me look. The flight's pretty full. There's a window in row thirty, at the back.
Mia: Hmm. Anything with more legroom?
Derek: There's an exit row, fourteen A, for forty-five dollars.
the exit row — the row at the emergency door · extra legroom, usually a fee · no bags on the floor
Mia: I'll take it. Anything special about the exit row?
Derek: You have to be willing and able to open the door in an emergency. And no bags on the floor.
willing and able — ready and physically able to open the door · the flight attendant asks you to say "yes" out loud
Mia: That's fine.
Derek: Okay, you're in fourteen A. Your boarding pass should refresh in the app.
boarding pass — in the app or printed: flight, gate, seat, boarding group · refresh = update
Mia: Perfect. Thank you!
Derek: Have a good flight!
Officer Reyes: Next! ID, please.
TSA · "ID, please." — the Transportation Security Administration = the checkpoint officers · they say "ID", not "passport"
Mia: Here's my license. Do you need my boarding pass?
Officer Reyes: No, you're good. Look at the camera for me. Okay, you're all set.
look at the camera — the camera checks your ID against your flight · you don't need to show the boarding pass
Mia: Thanks. Do I need to take off my shoes?
Officer Reyes: No, shoes stay on now. Laptops out, liquids in a bin, and empty your pockets, including your phone.
shoes stay on — since July 2025 · laptops out, liquids in a bin, pockets empty · in some new-scanner lanes everything stays in the bag
Mia: Does my jacket come off?
Officer Reyes: Yes, jackets and belts too. Then step into the scanner, feet on the marks, hands above your head.
the scanner — the body scanner · feet on the marks, hands above your head, hold still
Mia: Like this?
Officer Reyes: Perfect. Hold still. And you're clear. Grab your things off the belt.
the belt — your bins come out here — check the laptop, the phone, the jacket
Mia: Thank you.
Officer Reyes: Whose bag is this? The canvas tote.
Mia: That's mine.
Officer Reyes: I need to take a look inside. Any liquids in here?
a bag check — the X-ray flagged something · the officer searches the bag in front of you, with gloves on
Mia: Just my water bottle. Oh, and some sunscreen.
Officer Reyes: The water bottle's full. You can dump it out and refill it past security.
dump it out — an empty water bottle · empty it before security, fill it at a water station after
Mia: Sorry, I forgot. What about the sunscreen?
Officer Reyes: This is six ounces. The limit is three point four. You can surrender it here, or go back and check it.
three point four ounces — 3.4 oz (100 ml) per bottle · one quart-size bag · one bag per person
Mia: Just throw it away. I'll buy a small one later.
Officer Reyes: Okay. You're good to go.
good to go — finished, you can go · also: you're all set, you're clear
Mia: Excuse me, could you help me? Where's gate B twenty-two?
could you help me? — ask an airport ambassador — the volunteer in the red jacket — or the information desk
Joan: Sure! You're in Terminal A. Take the train to Terminal B, it's one stop.
the train — the terminal train · free, every few minutes · also: the people mover, the AirTrain, the SkyTrain
Mia: Where do I catch the train?
Joan: Up the escalator behind you, then follow the signs for the train. It comes every two minutes.
follow the signs for… — the overhead signs: Gates · Trains · Baggage Claim · Ground Transportation
Mia: How long does it take to get there?
Joan: About ten minutes, door to door. B twenty-two is at the far end of the concourse.
the concourse — the long hall with the gates · B22 = concourse B, gate 22 · door to door = the whole way
Mia: Great. Is there coffee near there?
Joan: There's a coffee shop right across from B eighteen, and a water station by the restrooms.
a water station — a free bottle-filling fountain, past security · restrooms = the toilets (never "toilet" in the US)
Mia: Perfect. Thanks so much!
Joan: You're welcome. Have a safe flight!
Mia: Sorry, one more thing. The board says my gate changed, from B twenty-two to C seven.
the board — every flight with its time, gate and status: On Time · Delayed · Boarding · Canceled
Joan: Yes, they moved it. Gates change a lot here, so keep an eye on the board.
keep an eye on — check it again and again · gates change a lot
Mia: Is C seven far?
Joan: It's the next concourse. Go past the food court, take a left at the moving walkway. About ten minutes.
the moving walkway — stand on the right, walk on the left
Mia: Do I have time? Boarding starts in twenty minutes.
Joan: Plenty of time. And if it changes again, you'll get a text from the airline.
Mia: Okay. Thank you again.
Joan: No problem. Go on, you'll make it.
you'll make it — you'll get there in time · make a flight = catch it · miss a flight = arrive too late
Tyler: Good morning, everyone. We're now boarding flight fourteen twenty-two to Dallas, group one.
now boarding, group one — the order you board: pre-boarding, first class, then groups 1, 2, 3… · your group is on your pass
Mia: Excuse me, which group am I? It says group five.
Tyler: Group five is last. We'll call it in about ten minutes.
Mia: Okay. And is there room for my roller bag?
a roller bag — a carry-on suitcase on wheels · the bin = the shelf above the seats
Tyler: By group five the bins will be full. I'd gate-check it, free of charge.
gate-check it — the bins are full, so your carry-on flies in the hold · you get it back at baggage claim · free
Mia: Free? Then sure.
Tyler: Here's a tag. Leave the bag at the end of the jet bridge, and take out anything valuable, and any batteries.
the gate-check tag — on the handle · take out valuables, medicine and batteries first
Mia: Okay. Where do I pick it up?
Tyler: In San Diego, at baggage claim. Group five, you can board now.
baggage claim — the hall where checked bags come out after you land · follow the signs
Mia: Perfect. Thank you!
Tyler: Ladies and gentlemen, this flight is oversold. We're looking for two volunteers to take a later flight.
oversold — more tickets sold than seats · volunteers give up their seat for compensation
Mia: Hi. What do the volunteers get?
Tyler: A six-hundred-dollar travel voucher, plus a meal voucher, and a confirmed seat on the four fifteen.
a travel voucher — credit for a future flight, not cash · confirmed = guaranteed, not standby
Mia: That's four hours later. Would I still make my connection?
make my connection — get to your next flight in time · miss a connection = it leaves without you
Tyler: You'd be on the seven fifty out of Dallas, and get in around ten tonight.
Mia: Hmm. Is the voucher good for any flight?
Tyler: Any flight with us, for a year. And if you'd rather have cash, I can ask.
I'd rather have cash — you can negotiate · if they bump you WITHOUT your agreement, the law says they pay cash
Mia: I'd love to, but I have a meeting first thing tomorrow. Maybe next time.
I'd love to, but… — the polite way to say no · first thing tomorrow = early tomorrow morning
Tyler: No worries. Thanks anyway.
Tyler: Final boarding call for flight fourteen twenty-two to Dallas. All remaining passengers, please board now.
final boarding call — the last announcement · the door closes right after · remaining passengers = the ones not on board yet
Mia: Sorry, sorry! Is it too late? I was at the wrong gate.
Tyler: You just made it. The door closes in two minutes. Boarding pass, please.
you just made it — you arrived at the last possible moment
Mia: Here, on my phone.
Tyler: Hold it under the scanner. There you go. Fourteen A, on the left.
fourteen A — row 14, seat A = the window · A to F across the row · C and D are the aisle seats on most planes
Mia: Thank you so much. I thought I'd missed it.
Tyler: Not today! Go ahead down the jet bridge, all the way to the end.
the jet bridge — the tunnel from the gate to the plane door · also: the jetway
Mia: Thanks. Have a good day!
Mia: Hi. My flight to San Diego says delayed. Do you know how long?
delayed — leaving later than scheduled · on time · boarding · canceled
Malik: Let me check. The inbound aircraft is late, so it's a two-hour delay right now.
the inbound aircraft — the plane for your flight is still on its way here · the most common reason for a delay
Mia: Two hours? Is there an earlier flight?
Malik: There's one at five ten, only middle seats, I'm afraid. But I can move you at no charge, since your flight's delayed.
at no charge — free · a same-day change usually costs a fee — not when your flight is delayed
Mia: Yes, please. What about my checked bag?
Malik: It should go with you. If it doesn't, it comes on the next flight and we deliver it.
deliver it — the airline brings a late bag to your address or hotel
Mia: That's fine. I'd rather get there.
Malik: Done. Five ten, gate C twelve. Your new boarding pass is in the app.
Mia: Thank you!
Mia: Hi. My first flight got in late, and I missed my connection.
I missed my connection — the first flight was late, the second one left without you · the airline rebooks you for free
Malik: I'm sorry about that. Can I see your boarding pass, or your confirmation number?
the confirmation number — the six-character code on your booking · also: the record locator
Mia: Here's my pass. Am I automatically rebooked?
rebooked — put on a new flight · usually automatic — check the app first
Malik: You are, on the nine fifteen tonight. Does that work?
Mia: That works. Is there anything earlier, even on standby?
standby — a waiting list for a full flight · you board only if a seat is free — you find out at the gate
Malik: The seven fifty is full, but I'll add you to the standby list. You find out at the gate.
Mia: Let's do that. And could I get a meal voucher? I've been here since six.
a meal voucher — food credit from the airline, paper or in the app · ask for it — it isn't always offered
Malik: Yes, since it was a mechanical issue. Here's a fifteen-dollar voucher, good anywhere in the terminal.
a mechanical issue — mechanical or crew = the airline's fault → a meal voucher after about 3 hours · weather = usually nothing
Mia: Thank you. That helps.
Mia: Hi. I just got a text that my flight is canceled. What are my options?
canceled — the flight won't go · your options: a new flight for free, or a full refund
Malik: I'm so sorry. The crew timed out, so it can't go tonight. I can put you on the first flight tomorrow, at six forty-five.
the crew timed out — the pilots reached their legal limit of working hours · the flight can't go
Mia: Okay. Will the airline cover a hotel?
cover a hotel — pay for it · airlines cover a hotel only when the cancellation is their fault, not for weather
Malik: Yes, since it's on us. Here's a hotel voucher, and the shuttle picks up outside door four.
a hotel voucher — on us = our fault, we pay · a paper or a code for a free night nearby · ask where the shuttle stops
Mia: Thank you. And if I don't want to fly tomorrow?
Malik: Then you can cancel and get a full refund, back to your card. No questions asked.
a full refund — all your money back to your card · if the airline cancels, that's your right — even on a non-refundable ticket
Mia: Okay, I'll take the morning flight. Thanks for your help.
Malik: Of course. Get some rest.
Mia: Excuse me, which carousel is the flight from Dallas?
the carousel — the moving belt where checked bags come out · the number is on the screen above it
Victor: From Dallas? Carousel seven, right over there. Bags start coming out in about ten minutes.
Mia: Great. And where do I catch a rideshare from here?
a rideshare — Uber, Lyft · rideshare pickup = the zone where they wait, often on another level
Victor: Rideshare pickup is on the upper level. Go out these doors, up one floor, and follow the signs for Ground Transportation.
Ground Transportation — the sign for taxis, rideshares, shuttles and buses · the upper level = one floor up
Mia: Is there a taxi stand too?
a taxi stand — the line of waiting taxis, with a dispatcher · you don't call one, you get in the first taxi
Victor: Taxis are right outside door four. And the hotel shuttles stop at the courtesy pickup, a little further down.
the courtesy pickup — the stop for free hotel shuttles · call the hotel and they send the van
Mia: Perfect. Thank you!
Victor: Have a good night.
Mia: Hi. My bag didn't come out. The carousel stopped, and everyone's gone.
my bag didn't come out — go to the airline's baggage service office before you leave the airport
Victor: Sorry to hear that. Do you have your claim tag, the sticker from check-in?
the claim tag — the sticker from check-in, usually on the back of your boarding pass · it has the bag's number
Mia: Yes, here.
Victor: Let me scan it. Okay, it's still in Dallas. It missed the connection.
Mia: Oh no. When will I get it?
Victor: It's on the first flight tomorrow. We'll deliver it to your hotel by noon. Can you describe it for the report?
the report — the airline records the missing bag officially · you get a reference number to track it
Mia: It's a yellow hard-shell suitcase, medium size, with a black strap around it.
describe the bag — color, size, hard-shell or soft-sided, brand, anything special
Victor: Here's your reference number. Track it online, and you'll get a text when it's out for delivery.
out for delivery — on the truck, on its way to you · track it online with the reference number
Mia: Thanks. And do I get the bag fee back?
Victor: If it's more than twelve hours late, yes. The fee is refunded automatically.
the fee is refunded — a US rule since 2024: a bag more than 12 hours late = your checked-bag fee back, automatically
Mia: Good to know. Thank you.