Title:Booking a flight

Conversation text:

Narrator: Hello again. Well, this is very exciting! Paul, the boss, is sending Anna and Tom on a business trip to France.

He wants them to clinch the deal with a company interested in buying their Imperial Lemons.

But has Tom got more than business on his mind?

Tom : Really? What… me and Anna… to France?

Paul : Yes but make sure you get that contract signed. We need the business.

Tom : Yeah, yeah, of course. Are we staying overnight?

Paul : There's no money for that – just get there and come straight back.

Oh and could you bring back those nice French biscuits that have in the duty-free shop?

Tom : Sure. So, Anna, we're off on holiday together are we?!

Anna : No! But I've got to book the flights online, can you help me please?

Tom : It's not my thing. I'm sure Denise will help. I need to go and pack for this trip.

Denise : Yes Marge… in the cupboard… envelopes apparently… Tom and Anna… oh here she is… got to go Marge… bye. Hello Anna, everything OK?

Anna : Sort of. I've got to go to France with Tom.

Denise : Yes, I know. I thought you'd be pleased to go with Tom, after your time in the stationery cupboard with him!

Anna : I was just finding an envelope Denise. Anyway, I'm worried about booking the flights online. I usually book flights at a travel agent's.

Denise : It's company policy now, we have to do everything online – even my food shopping – but don’t tell Paul.

Anna : Oh right. So where shall I begin?

Denise : Pull up a chair Anna and we'll log on. Right let's start with the British Airlines website.

There. London to Marseille. What is the outbound date?

Anna : Going out tomorrow, back tomorrow.

Denise : Business class or Economy class? I think we'll say Economy.

Anna : That's cheaper I guess. What's this mean? Flexible or fixed?

Denise : A flexible ticket means you can change your flight but a fixed one means you can't – and that's cheaper so we'll choose that one.

I'll book you on the 8am flight from Heathrow and flying home at 6pm.

I just need to type in your full names now and select your seats. Window or aisle?

Anna : I'll what?

Denise : No Anna. A seat by the aisle or by the window?

Anna : Oh, an aisle seat please, Denise.

Denise : Good. What's your frequent flyer number?

Anna : Oh I don't have one of those.

Tom : What's that? Frequent flyer number? Here I've got a gold status card, can you stick my number in?

Denise : Gold status! Where did you get that?

Tom : Oh, I've flown loads of times for business. I've done deals all around the world.

Narrator : He means he's been on lots of jollies – free trips paid for by the company – and all he's come home with is a sun tan!

Denise : Hmm, really. Right I just need to pay now… using the company account of course.

Tom : Cool. Now, what do you think of my sunglasses?

Anna : Lovely Tom. Denise has booked you a window seat OK?

Tom : No! Sorry I can't sit by the window… I’m… errr…

Denise : Yes Tom?

Tom : Well, I mean, it's only polite that the lady sits by the window.

Denise : Really?!

Narrator : What's Tom like?! Hopefully he'll prove a useful business partner for Anna on the trip to France.

Here's a reminder of some of the questions you may be asked when booking a flight…

What's the outbound and return date?

Do you want to fly business or economy?

Do you want a fixed or flexible ticket?

Would you like a window or aisle seat?

Have you got a frequent flyer number?

Denise : There you go you two, your e-ticket. Now don't forget your passports.

Tom : Thanks Denise. Hey Anna, I'm so pleased that we're on this trip together. It'll be nice to spend some time with you.

Anna : Yes and to do some business and really show Paul we are his best employees.

Tom : Oh yeah, of course… I just wondered…

Anna : Yes?

Tom : Is there any chance I could sit in the aisle seat?