Unit 14 Seat Preference

B International Configuration First ClassBusiness ClassEconomy Class Number of Seats Pitch78"55"34-36/31" Seat Width20.5"20"17"

Seat Configuration

Part One: Warming-up 1. Generally, how many types of seat are on an aircraft? Which is the most comfortable? And which is the least? 2. In economy class passengers may request a certain type of seat. What sort of seats may the following passengers request from you?

Table-Filling PassengersTypes of Seat Possibly Requested Twins A boy or a girl accompanied by parents An obese man carrying too much hand baggage A newly-married couple An old man preferring quietness A heavy smoker

Poll: Window or aisle seat? Window(52%) Aisle(26%) Don't care(9%) Don't fly(9%) Can't you think of a better poll? (3%)

Part Two : Dialogues Dialogue A Reassigning A Seat Dialogue B No Window Seat Available Dialogue C No Smoking Allowed On Board Dialogue D Party Seats Not Available

Useful Expressions Dialogue A Pre-assigned seat Reassign the seat Request a window seat In the forward section In the rear of the cabin Reallocate a seat Dialogue B An aisle seat In a non-smoking section A non-smoker A heavy smoker

Useful Expressions Dialogue C Seat preference A smoking area/section A seat by the aisle A seat near the window Dialogue D Vacant seats With the aisle in between Party seats Group seats

Part Three : Language Practice

Model I: A: Have you any seat preference? P: May I have a window seat in a smoking area? A: Im sorry smoking is not allowed on board and all the window seats have been taken. Would an aisle seat be all right? P: Thats fine.

Model II: P: Do you have party seats for three of us? A: Im afraid we dont have three vacant seats together at the moment. Ill give you two aisle seats with the aisle in between and the other is close to them. P: We have to take them.

Rearrangement ____No, thank you all the same. I dont want to be a passive smoker. ____Im sorry, Mr. Smith, we can not offer you the seat of your choice today. All the non-smoking seats are taken. Wed like to offer you a smoking seat not in economy class but in business class. ____Then I can arrange for you to fly on China Eastern Airlines flight 552 which leaves this afternoon. I would be able to confirm you in a non-smoking seat. Would you like me to arrange that for you? ____Im sorry for the inconvenience this time. ____Thats fine.

Part Four Communication Activities

1 Passenger: Mr. Left planned to take a trip to Singapore on Flight CZ353. He had requested a window seat, row 12, A when he confirmed his seat. When he checked in at the airport he was told that his pre-requested seat had been changed. He wanted an explanation and asked the agent to assign him the window seat. Agent: The computer shows that Mr. Smith had requested a window seat for economy in the non-smoking section on Flight CZ353. Because of a change of the aircraft the pre-requested seat has been changed. All the window seats in the forward section have all been taken. Try to reserve a window seat in the rear of the cabin.

2 Passenger: A group of four students are traveling to Guilin on Flight CA1535. They want to get four seats together as they can chat during the journey. Agent: Four seats together are not available. You can only assign them two together and the other two aisle seats with an aisle in between.

Elephant Hill An elephant-like hill stands majestically at the confluence of the Lijiang and Yangjiang rivers, and faces the Zi-Zhu Islet on the opposite side of the Lijiang. Arching its long trunk into the river, this seeming elephant sucks water ceaselessing, lifelike in shape and full of energy in posture. No wonder it takes the name " Elephant Hill ".

3 Passenger: Mr. Wang is a heavy smoker. He wants to be assigned a window seat in a smoking section. Agent: There is no window seat available, and whats more smoking is not allowed on board. Try to explain this to your passenger and assign him an aisle seat 15C in economy class.

Thank you for your listening! Presented by Gao Feng