Boarding & Security
Read both roles aloud. Take your time, then practise again using your own details.
Practise asking airport staff for directions, clarifying instructions, and checking where to board.
Sample dialogue
Roles: Traveller and airport staff
Traveller: Excuse me. Where is the security checkpoint?
Staff: It’s straight ahead. Follow the signs for departures.
Traveller: Thank you. Is this the queue for security?
Staff: Yes, it is. Please have your boarding pass ready.
Traveller: Sorry, could you repeat that, please?
Staff: Please have your boarding pass ready.
Traveller: Of course. Here it is.
Traveller: Excuse me. Could you help me find my gate?
Staff: What gate number is shown on your boarding pass?
Traveller: Gate B12.
Staff: Follow the signs for the B gates, and check the departure screen for any changes.
Traveller: Thank you. Is this the right queue for boarding?
Useful phrases
- Where is …? — Ask for a location.
- Is this the queue for …? — Check that you are waiting in the correct line. “Line” is common in American English.
- Could you repeat that, please? — Politely ask to hear an instruction again.
- Departure screen — A display showing information about departing flights.
Practise the conversation
- Read the dialogue with a partner, or take both roles yourself.
- Change the gate number and practise asking for directions.
- Add a reply to the traveller’s final question. Then practise asking someone to speak more slowly.
Check your understanding
What can the traveller say when an instruction is unclear?
Show answer
“Could you repeat that, please?” Another useful request is “Could you speak more slowly, please?”