TravelAdvanced
A delayed flight in English (advanced)
Advanced English for a delayed flight. Key line: “Hi, could you look into why my flight is still delayed?”
Full script
Lin
Hi, could you look into why my flight is still delayed?
Them
Sure, it looks like the incoming plane got held up by weather earlier.
Lin
Ah, got it. Do you have any sense of when we might board?
Them
Right now it's pushed back about ninety minutes, though that could shift.
Lin
Okay, thanks. If this keeps dragging, I may start naming the snacks.
Them
Honestly, that's fair. I can also put you on the standby list.
Lin
Let's do that, please. And could you update me if anything opens up?
Them
Absolutely. And good news: you'll probably board before the snacks get names.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
reason
✓ look intocheck; find out why
More natural and polite than check
roughly
✓ Do you have any sense of ...?Do you have a rough idea...?
polite way to ask for an estimate
delay
✓ pushed backdelayed
Also for flights and meetings; not "delay back"
seat
✓ if anything opens upif a seat opens up
Can also mean a chance comes up
Quick answers
reason: what to say in English
Say “look into” — check; find out why. More natural and polite than check.
roughly: what to say in English
Say “Do you have any sense of ...?” — do you have a rough idea. polite way to ask for an estimate.
delay: what to say in English
Say “pushed back” — delayed. Also for flights and meetings; not "delay back".
seat: what to say in English
Say “if anything opens up” — if a seat opens up. Can also mean a chance comes up.