A delayed flight in English
Everyday English for a delayed flight. Key line: “Excuse me, could you check why my flight's delayed?”
Full script
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Polite way to ask staff the reason
Polite and direct; common at a service desk
Staff ask this to check your flight
Common when staff check details
Says the delay length
running late = delayed
Ask if the flight is still tonight
leave = depart
Quick answers
Ask why: what to say in English
Say “Could you check why my flight's delayed?” — polite way to ask staff the reason. Polite and direct; common at a service desk.
Flight number: what to say in English
Say “What's your flight number?” — staff ask this to check your flight. Common when staff check details.
2 hours late: what to say in English
Say “It's running about two hours late.” — says the delay length. running late = delayed.
Leave tonight: what to say in English
Say “Will we still leave tonight?” — ask if the flight is still tonight. leave = depart.