UNIIT 2 Travelling on Business
Focus
● Making flight reservations
● Making room reservations
● Checking in at an international airport
● Going through the customs
Warming Up
The following questions may help you understand what you are going to learn in this unit. Work in pairs or groups and try to answer the following questions：
1. Have you ever travelled by air? Tell us your experience.
2. How can we make a reservation for a flight？
3. Have you ever made a room reservation？
4. Do you know how to check in at the airport？
Part 1 Making flight reservations
Mr.FranckRibery, Purchasing Manager of Auchan Group S.A.in France is going to have a business talk with Wuhan ProStar Electronics Co., Ltd in Wuhan, China.Now his assistant, Ms Laurent is making a flight reservation for his trip to Wuhan.
Travel agent: Good morning. Mandarin Voyages. May I help you？
Ms Laurent: Yes, I'd like to book a flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Wuhan, China leaving on February 19th. I see there is a direct flight to Wuhan now.
Travel agent: Yes. For how many people？
Ms Laurent: One adult.
Travel agent: One moment, please. Well, when are you flying？
Ms Laurent: February the 19th.
Travel agent: Oh, I'm afraid there is no direct flight on the 1 9th. There are direct flights from Paris to Wuhan only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday every week. But the 19this Tuesday. However, there are several flights flying to the other cities of China. Would you like to make a reservation for any one of them？
Ms Laurent: I'm afraid not.I want a direct one.Then can you book one on the 18th?
Travel agent: Let me check.Oh, I'm afraid the direct fight, AF132 on 18this fully booked now.But there are some seats available on the 20th.Would you like to make a booking？
Ms Laurent: O.K.By the way, when does the flight leave Paris and arrive at Wuhan?
Travel agent: It leaves at 16:30 and arrives at Wuhan at 9:00 local time.
Ms Laurent: That's ok. Thank you.
Travel agent: You are welcome. May I have the passenger's name, please？
Ms Laurent: It's Mr.Franck Ribery.F-R-A-N-C-K, Franck, R-I-B-E-R-Y, Ribery.
Travel agent: And do you want to fly first class or premier economy class？
Ms Laurent: Premier economy class, please.
Travel agent: One way or round trip？
Ms Laurent: One way.
Travel agent: Do you have an account with us？
Ms Laurent: Yes, the account code is MVCC 1967.
Travel agent: Thanks. OK. The booking is for Mr. Franck Ribery on Air France Flight AF132 at 16:30 on the 20thof February.
Ms Laurent: Let me repeat. Flight AF132 at 16:30. Am I right？
Travel agent: That's right.
Ms Laurent: Could you send me an email to confirm the booking? My name is Jessie Laurent. You know my email address.
Travel agent: Sure, Ms Laurent.
Ms Laurent: Thank you.
Travel agent: You are welcome
Target Vocabulary
Mandarin Voyages（法国）文华旅行社
Charles de Gaulle Airport戴高乐机场（法国巴黎）
direct flight直飞；直航；直达班机
first class头等舱
the premier economy class尊尚经济舱
one-way单程
round-trip往返
account账户
account code账号
Notes
1. make a reservation预订
make flight reservation也可说成make a reservation for a flight，意思是预订航班。
reservation的动词形式是reserve，例：
Please make a reservation for me on flight CZ3369.
Please reserve me one seat on that flight.
2. I see there is a direct flight to Wuhan, China now.
我知道现在有去中国武汉的直达航班了
direct flight可以译成“直飞航班”，指的是中途不用转机的航班，但或许有一到几次的着陆停歇或补给。而non-stop flight也可以译成“直飞航班”，但是指直接从一地飞往另一地，而中途不停歇的航班。还有一种connecting flight可以译成“联乘航班”是在转机（to transfer flight）后要乘坐的航班．
3. And do you want the first class or the premier economy class？
您是要头等舱还是尊尚经济舱？
一般机舱舱位分为：
头等舱 first class
商务舱 business class
经济舱 economy class
更细的分类是：
特头等舱 First Class Premium
头等舱 First Class
头等优惠舱 First Class Discounted
公务特舱 Business Class Premium
公务舱 Business Class
公务优惠舱 Business Class Discounted
经济特舱 Economy Class Premium
经济舱 Economy Class
经济优惠舱（Economy Class Discounted）
法航的“尊尚经济舱（premier economy class）”类似于“经济特舱（Economy Class Premium）”。法航的“尊尚经济舱”有着比经济舱更多的空间，相对传统经济舱舱位，法航“尊尚经济舱”私人的空间增加了40%；这种舱位里的餐食和经济舱提供的一样；不过在机场，提供和商务舱类似的快捷和便利服务：优先乘机手续柜台，免费行李30千克，任意时候登机以及行李优先。乘坐法航“尊尚经济舱”舱位的乘客同时还能享受欧洲常旅客计划，蓝天飞行等服务。乘坐该舱位可以比相同航班的经济舱全价票多积累25%的里程。
4. One way or round trip？您是想要单程票还是双程（往返票）？
“单程票”可以说成：one-way ticket, one way, single-way ticket, single ticket或single“往返票”可以说成：round-trip ticket, round trip, return ticket，或return。例：
Please book me a one-way ticket to Los Angeles．请给我订一张去洛杉矶的单程票。
A one-way to Los Angeles, please．请订一张去洛杉矶的单程票。
Three singles to Qingdao, second class, please．请订三张去青岛的二等单程票。
Clerk: Single or return？职员：单程票还是往返票？
I'd like a return to Shanghai．我想买去上海的往返票。
Give me a round trip ticket, please．请给我一张往返票。
How much does a round trip ticket to go there cost？去那边的往返票要多少钱？
I'll need an economy ticket with an open return．我要一张经济舱，回程不定的往返票。
Comprehension Questions
1. Who makes the reservation for the flight? Does he or she reserve the flight for herself (himself）？
2. Which flight is booked for Mr. Ribery？
Part 2 Making room reservations
Linda Zhang calls Ramada Hotel in Wuhan Optics Vally to make a room reservation forMr.Ribery.Thereceptionist is helpful in giving her the roomrates and making the booking.
（The phone rings）
Receptionist: Good morning. Ramada Hotel. Can I help you？
Linda: Good morning. My name is Linda Zhang from Wuhan ProStar Electronics. I'd like to book a single room for one of our customers from France.
Receptionist: When is your customer arriving？
Linda: On Sunday, Feb.21 st.
Receptionist: How long will he be staying？
Linda: About 3 days. Could you let me have the room rate, please？
Receptionist: Sure.A single room is 800 yuan per night, plus a service charge of 15%.
Linda: O.K.Could you make the booking for me, please？
Receptionist: May I have the name, please？
Linda: Yes, Mr. Franck Ribery.
Receptionist: Could you spell the name, please？
Linda: Yes. F-R-A-N-C-K, Franck, R-I-B-E-R-Y, Ribery. Have you got that？
Receptionist: Yes, thank you, Ms. Zhang. We'll be expecting him on the 21 st of February. Bye.
Linda: Thank you. Goodbye.
Target Vocabulary
Ramada Plaza 华美达大酒店
book 预订；预约
single room 单人间
room rate 房间价格
service charge 服务费
Notes
1. I'd like to book a single room for one of our customers from France.
我想为我们来自法国的一个客户订一个单人间。
“a single room” 意思是单人间，其他的表示房间类型的词或短语还有：
double room 双人间
standard room/twin room 标准间
executive room 行政间（商务间）
deluxe room/superior room 豪华间/高级间
suite 套房
book a room 意思是“预订房间”，类似的表达方法还有：
to make a room reservation/to make a booking/to reserve a room 例如：
I'd like to book a standard room from the 3rd to the 12th of September.
I made a reservation for a standard room for 2 nights under the name of Grant.
2.Could you let me have the room rate, please？能告诉我房间的价格是多少吗？
类似的表达方法：
What's the room rate？
What's the room charge per night？
Comprehension Questions
1.What kind of room would Linda like to reserve for Mr.Ribery？
2.What's the room rate for a single room in Ramada Hotel Wuhan？
Part 3 Checking in at an international airport
Atthe check-in counter at Charles de Gaulle Airport.Mr.Ribery is checking in.
Mr.Ribery: Good morning, I'm taking flight AF132 to Wuhan, China.Do I check in here？
Clerk: Yes, Sir. May I have your passport and ticket？
Mr. Ribery: Here you are. If possible, I prefer a seat by the window, please.
Clerk: Let me see…O. K. No problem. Any luggage to check in？
Mr. Ribery: Yes. I want to check these two pieces and I'll take this suitcase on board. Clerk: Would you put them on the scales, please？
Mr. Ribery: Certainly.
Clerk:（Handing the passport, the boarding pass, the ticket and the luggage check-in receipt to Mr.Ribery）.Here you go, Sir.You have a seat in the premier economy-class cabin.Seat 9A.Boarding is at Gate 9 at 16:00 and your flight leaves at 16:30.
Mr. Ribery: Thank you.
Clerk: You are welcome. Have a pleasant flight.
Target Vocabulary
check in办理乘机手续；交运（行李等）
check-in counter办理乘机手续的柜台
passport护照
luggage行李
check托运（尤指行李）
scales天平；磅秤
boarding pass登机证，登机牌
Notes
1. Do I check in here？我是在这儿办理登机手续吗？
"check in" 可以用来指“办理旅馆入住登记手续”，在这里是指“办理登机手续”，在本对话后面还有表示“交运行李”的意思。更多例子：
Is this the right counter to check in for this flight？
Please check in at counter 5.
Have you got any luggage to check in？你有行李要托运吗？
2. If possible, I prefer a seat by the window, please.
如果可能的话，我想要一个靠窗户的座位。
也可以这么说："If possible, please give me a window seat.”靠过道的座位可以说 "aisle seat"，例：
I'd like an aisle seat.
3. Any luggage to check in？请问您有要托运的行李吗？
"luggage" 是“行李（总称）”，在美国一般叫baggage，没有复数。相关表达法：
a piece of luggage 一件行李
free luggage allowance (of 20 kilos） 免费携带20千克行李
luggage check-in receipt/claim check 行李托运票
luggage claim area 行李领取处
How many pieces of luggage have you got？
How much free luggage is allowed？
Your baggage is 10 kilos overweight, so you'll have to pay an extra for excess luggage.
4.Yes, I want to check these two pieces．是的，我想托运这两件行李。
这里的 "check" 是托运行李的意思，又例：
He has checked all his luggage．他把所有的行李都托运了。
托运的行李可以说成：checked luggage或unaccompanied baggage
5. and I'll take this suitcase on board.
…我要把这个小箱子带到飞机上。/我要随身带着这个箱子。
类似表达法还有：
I'll keep this bag as hand-baggage.
I'm going to carry this bag with me.
6. Boarding is at Gate 9 at 1 6:00…在9号登机口登机，登机时间是下午四点…“上（火车、公共汽车、飞机、船等）”等都可以用 "board"，例：
Passengers were just beginning to board the ship．旅客刚开始上船。
The passengers boarded the plane at 1 1 a. m．旅客在上午1 1时登机
"boarding" 是 "board" 的动名词形式，意思是“登机”。相关表达法：
What time will boarding start？什么时候开始登机？
Boarding will start 30 minutes before departure.
boarding pass 登机牌
boarding gate 登机口，登机门
Comprehension Questions
1. What kind of seat would Mr.Ribery prefer？
2. Does Mr.Ribery check all of his luggage？
Part 4 Going through the customs
Having landed at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, Mr.Ribery is going through the Customs.
（Atthe Immigration Counter）
Customs Officer 1: Good morning. May I see your passport, visa and disembarkation card, please？
Mr. Ribery: Certainly, Here you are.
Customs Officer 1: What's the purpose of your visit？
Mr. Ribery: I'm here on business. A local corporation has invited me for business talks.
Customs Officer 1: How long will you be staying？
Mr. Ribery: I'm staying for about one week.
Customs Officer 1: Where are you going to stay in China？
Mr. Ribery: I'm planning to stay in the hotel in Wuhan.
Customs Officer 1: Well, everything seems to be OK. Please go to customs next.
Mr. Ribery: Thank you.
（Atthe Customs Inspection Counter）
Customs Officer 2: May I have a look at your customs declaration form, please？
Mr. Ribery: Yes. Here you are.
Customs Officer 2: Are you bringing in any liquor？
Mr. Ribery: No, I'm not.
Customs Officer 2: Are you bringing in any cigarettes？
Mr. Ribery: Only for my own use.
Customs Officer 2: Have you any contraband with you? And what's in that case？
Mr. Ribery: No. I have only some personal effects in this case.
Customs Officer 2: OK, Sir. This is just a routine check. Would you like to open your case for me？
Mr. Ribery: Thank you.
Customs Officer 2: Hmm.（open the case and have a look）.Sir, what's in this bag？
Mr. Ribery: It's my own laptop computer.
Customs Officer 2: OK. That'll be all. You may close your cast now.
Mr. Ribery: Thank you. Is that all for customs formalities？
Customs Officer 2: Yes. You're through now. Welcome to China, sir. Have a pleasant stay in China.
Mr. Ribery: Thank you.
Target Vocabulary
customs海关；关税
immigration counter出入境管理局柜台；移民处
customs officer海关工作人员
visa签证
disembarkation card入境登记卡
business talk商务会谈
customs declaration form海关申报表
contraband违禁品
personal effects个人用品（相当于personal belongings）
routine check例行检查
customs formalities海关例行手续
Notes
1. May I see your passport, visa and disembarkation card, please？
请出示一下你的护照，签证和入境卡？
各个国家在办理入境通关手续的时候检查的严格程度都不同，而要求出示的证件也不同，但多数都要查验护照，入境登记卡，行李报关单等。
2. May I have a look at your customs declaration form？请出示一下你的申报单？
"customs declaration form" 完整的形式是 "Customs Baggage Declaration Form（海关行李申报单）”。
为规范进出境旅客申报，加强对进出境旅客行李物品的监管，多数国家都实行在航空口岸进出境旅客行李物品书面申报制度，即填写申报单向海关申报。
3. Is that all for customs formalities？海关手续就是这些吗？
Comprehension Questions
1. What does Mr. Ribery show to the officer at the immigration counter？
2. What does Mr. Ribery show to the officer at the Customs Inspection Counter？
Oral Practice
Individual Work
1. Substitution Exercises
Drill 1 Would it be possible to…？
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—get on a flight to Beijing on the 3rd
—find out if there is an afternoon flight
—give me a window seat
Drill 2 Could you tell me…？
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—what time I should check in
—when I can board the plane
—when the plane takes off
Drill 3 May I…？
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—see your passport
—have the passenger's name
—have a look at your declaration form
Drill 4 If possible, I….
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—prefer a seat by the window, please
—would like to get an early flight
—would like a seat in the non-smoking section
Drill 5 By the way, …？
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—when does the flight leaves Paris
—when do you serve your breakfast
—when shall I check in
2. Practice Sentences
1）How often is there a flight to Hong Kong? We have a flight to HK every day.
2）At what time does the next plane to HK leave？
3）How much is the round trip ticket？
4）Is it possible to get on a flight to Beijing tomorrow？
5）Could you make a reservation for me on flight CZ347 to Paris next Monday？
6）How long is the flight from Guangzhou to Paris？
7）What time do I have to be at the airport? You will have to be at the airport by 8:25 at the latest.
8）How much should I pay for the excess luggage？
9）Could you tell me the free allowance for luggage？
10）I'm afraid you'll have to pay a little extra for excess baggage.
11）Have you filled out the customs forms？
12）You needn't pay duty on personal belongings.
13）Do you have anything particular to declare？
14）Could you show me what's in this suitcase？
1 5）These are all personal belongings. It is only for my own use. It is not for sale.
3. Oral Translation Exercises
1）请帮我查一下19号有没有从广州飞往法国巴黎的航班。
2）你们有下周一大约上午10点起飞到纽约的班机吗？
3）这个航班每天13:00从北京国际机场起飞，当地时间17:30左右抵达巴黎戴高乐机场。
4）请帮我在那个航班订个座位，经济舱。
5）我要买两张4月5号飞往巴黎的头等舱机票。
6）让我查一下那个航班是否还有空座位。
7）很抱歉，CZ347次班机的座位全部订满了。
8）在国际航线上，一等舱旅客可携带免费行李30千克，经济舱旅客为20千克。
9）请您把行李全部放在磅秤上好吗？
10）我的行李超重了吗？
11）我个人自用物品需要交税吗？
12）你的行李里面有违禁品吗？
13）我随身带了这台笔记本电脑和照相机，都是我自己用的。
14）你不能带新鲜水果。我们要没收（confiscate）这些。
15）我必须为此付税吗？
Pair Work
Work in pairs.Construct dialogues based on the following situations.
Task 1
Student A: You want to travel abroad by air for your Spring Festival holiday, so you call a travel agency to make a booking.You want to make a reservation to Paris next Monday. Ask the fare of the economy class and time of arrival in Paris and you also want to know if the flight is direct.
Student B: You are a travel agent working for China International Travel service, Wuhan Branch.Now you are answering a phone about booking a flight ticket to Paris next Monday.You tell him or her about the fare of the economy class and time of arrival in Paris and you also let him or her know that is a direct flight.
Task 2
Student A: You are a passenger.You will go on a business trip by air.You are checking in your luggage now at the counter.Your luggage trunk is 3 kilograms overweight, so you have to pay for it.
Student B: You are an airport clerk.You are helping A check in his luggage.After weighing his luggage, you find that his luggage is 3 kilos overweight, so you ask him to pay for it.
Task 3
Student A: You are the customs officer.Find out if this is all Mr.Smith's luggage, and if there's anything for him to declare.Mr.Smith has brought with him a camera, a portable word processor for his own use.
Student B: You are Mr.Smith and your plane has just landed at New York Kennedy Airport.You are going through the customs formalities.You have brought a camera, a portable word processor for your own use.
Group Work
Students will work in groups of 5-6 and have a discussion on the following questions：
1. Please say something about merits and defects of making airline reservations by means of telephone and the internet.
2. How should the inward passenger go through the customs formalities？
3. What articles should be declared to the customs when going through the customs formalities？
Cultural References
● How to Get Through Customs Quickly
Getting through U.S.customs may seem like a daunting prospect, but it's usually fast and simple if you know what you're doing.Following posted rules and regulations and declaring anything you acquired while abroad is the simplest way of getting through customs in any country quickly.
1. Stay quiet and calm. Everybody going through U. S. customs is required to speak to a customs officer at least briefly. Turn off any cell phones, music players, radios or other distracting devices as you approach the customs officer.
2. Make sure to have all necessary documents readily available. These include governmen-t issued photo ID like a driver's license or ID card plus proof of citizenship like birth certificate, passport or citizen card where applicable.
3. Avoid carrying forbidden items like fresh meat, fruit and vegetables from abroad into the U. S. You should also avoid carrying soil from abroad into the U. S., including soil that may be on your shoes from just walking around.
4. Be prepared to declare the value of all items purchased abroad. You can prepare for this step by keeping a list of the value of purchased items as you shop.
5. Carry proof of purchase for expensive items like snow machines, skis and cameras or register them with U. S. customs on your way out of the United States if you plan on returning with them.
6. Leave all your weapons behind. If you must carry them, make sure to declare them.
● About International Flights
A first-time trip on an international flight can be exciting and create anxiety at the same time.Yet, millions of passengers fly daily on thousands of planes, many of them on international flights.The key to enjoying an international flight is doing your homework before driving to the airport.In other words, be prepared.Know what to pack as well as what to leave behind.And know what documents to have on you, ready to show when requested.
1. Identification
International flights are those that cross over the borders of different countries. An international flight may be a long flight from Orlando, Florida to Tokyo, Japan, or a quick jaunt from Boston's Logan Airport to Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec, Canada.
2. Preparations
Secure all your travel documents. Be sure to keep your passport or visa and photo ID on your person, where it's easy to find and show to authorities. While planning your trip, check the website of your destination country to get information regarding currency, health concerns and other important topics.
Call the airlines ahead of time. International flights usually require more time for boarding, so ask how much time you need to get to the airport before the plane departs.
Be aware of items that are prohibited at the foreign airport. Because security is tighter at international airports, many items allowed at your airport may be banned there. Getting these details before packing will prevent you from bringing items you'd have to forfeit.
Go online and print a map of the foreign airport so you know where to go when you get off the plane.
Familiarize yourself with screening methods before leaving.
3. Airline Drinks, Snacks and Meals
As most international flights last more than three hours, your airline must serve you a meal, in addition to drinks and snacks. Exactly which meal to expect can be confusing, however. For example, an overnight flight typically serves breakfast at midnight.
4. Tips for Going Through Customs
Unlike domestic flights, international flights require you to go through Customs before boarding. You'll have to remember anything you've either purchased or been given on your international trip and declare its value. For example, some things won't be allowed into the United States that are allowed in foreign countries, such as food, plants and foreign soil. Besides all items bought or given to you, you must also declare any items inherited on your trip, repairs you made and anything you intend to sell or use for future business purposes.
Be patient with the requests of authorities.
Turn of cell phones, radios and CD players.
Have nothing on you that could be used as a weapon, as this will waste time, require paperwork and raise the likelihood of missing your flight.
5. Tips for Coping With Jet Lag
Usually, international flights cross over several time zones, so you'll have to cope with j et lag and lost sleep.
Plan to get to your destination a day early so you can rest if joining a tour group. This also is a good preventative measure in case bad weather delays your flight. Choose water over caffeinated beverages during your flight to reduce dehydration, which intensifies with j et lag.
Nap on the plane as much as possible. Overnight flights usually supply a pillow and blanket, so do the best you can to get some sleep.
Give yourself time to adjust to the new time zone; don't cram too much into that first day.
6. Warning
The people who work in Customs have no sense of humor when it comes to jokes about weapons, terrorism or drugs. By joking about such things, you run the risk of staying in the foreign country longer than anticipated.