ESL Podcast 362 - Getting In-Flight Service

call button - a small button to push when one wants a worker to come because one needs service, especially on a train or plane, where the call button is usually above one's head

When Arvedya woke up on the plane, he was very thirsty, so he pushed the call button to ask for a glass of water.

flight attendant - steward/stewardess; a worker who provides service on an airplane; a worker who brings food, drinks, blankets, and pillows to airline passengers while they are on the plane

The flight attendant asked us whether we would like anything else to drink.

cabin - the part of an airplane where passengers are seated

How many seats are in the cabin of a Boeing 747?

blanket - a large piece of thick cloth that is placed over one's body to keep one warm, usually when one is asleep

It is going to be very cold tonight, so we should put an extra blanket on the bed.

pillow - a soft fabric bag filled with feathers, cotton, or synthetic fibers that is placed under one's head for comfort while sleeping

Do you sleep with one pillow or two?

meal service - the time during a flight when food is given to the passengers

During the meal service, we were given a choice of chicken or beef.

bean - legume; a pod or seed that is cooked and eaten

Mexican food uses a lot of black beans.

complimentary - free; at no additional cost; with the price already included

The hotel gives its guests complimentary breakfast each morning.

in-flight magazine - a magazine that is produced by an airline and given to passengers for free

Asher spent most of the flight studying the maps in the in-flight magazine.

cocktail - an alcoholic drink that is made by mixing two or more different drinks

Her favorite cocktail is vodka with cranberry juice.

out of - no longer having something; having given away or sold all of something so that nothing is left

The store was out of chicken, so we decided to get some fish instead.

turbulence - strong movements that are felt on a plane, caused by wind

Does turbulence make you feel sick to your stomach?

seatbelt - two strong pieces of fabric that are pulled around one's waist and connected together for safety while one is sitting in a car, train, or plane

Many states have laws requiring people to wear seatbelts while driving.

fastened - connected; joined together tightly on two sides

Make sure your coat is fastened tightly because it is very windy outside.

airsickness bag - a paper bag given to airline passengers so that they can vomit into them if they get sick

Craig didn't feel sick until the man sitting next to him started using his airsickness bag.