Low Cost vs. Conventional Airlines

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/20lowcost.mp3|titles=Low cost v Conventional Airlines]Low Cost vs. Conventional Airlines

Level: Easy

Read the text about conventional and low-cost carriers and match the words in the left column with the words in the right column:

1. 1. Low-cost carriers seem to be seriously involved in the new trend in the US airline industry’s domestic market. Both, smaller no-frills carriers (e.g. Allegiant, Frontier and Virgin America) and bigger budget airlines (e.g. JetBlue and Southwest), have grown rapidly over the last decade and are now known to be controlling 30% of the domestic travel market as compared to legacy carriers. As more Americans are changing their habits and choosing discount airlines for domestic flights, conventional airlines are cutting flights, shrinking hubs and even abandoning some destinations. The recent economic downturn has only contributed to this reshuffling, taking a toll on traditional airlines.
   2. While low fairs are obviously appealing, they are no longer a major selling point. What does seem to attract passengers is the major shift in how air travel is perceived. Value is given to non-complex operations and a more positive attitude.

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Ash Clouds

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/14ashclouds.mp3|titles=Ash Clouds]TOPIC: Ash Clouds

GOAL: To learn about ash cloud’s effect on traffic and how to deal with an encounter.

Level: Medium

Exercise #1: Read about the dangers of flying through ash clouds and how to handle such a situation.

In April 2010, Europe's skies remained largely closed for several days after a mass of volcanic ash which originated from Iceland blanketed the continent causing crippling flight delays. Due to the disruptions to air traffic, a major portion of 22,000 scheduled flights destined to take off from locations throughout Europe were cancelled. In fact, only 6,000 departed during the near weeklong event. The International Air Transport Association estimated the air traffic interruptions caused approximately $200 million in damage a day. Contrary to popular belief, flying through ash will not completely destroy an aircraft in seconds, but the abrasive particles will certainly cause great exterior and electrical damage to airplanes flying through the clouds over a very short period time.

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The story of a flight attendant

The story of a flight attendant

Aim

• Practice English skills in an aviation context
• Test your reading skills (level: easy)
• Have fun!

There’s a certain mystique about flight attendants, isn’t there? Watch heads turn as cabin crew walk by. They’re elegantly uniformed, immaculately turned out, on their way to somewhere far away and seemingly having the time of their lives. You can almost hear everyone wondering, ‘What’s it like for them?’

The average person is usually quite curious about what life is really like for flight attendants, what it feels like to wear that uniform, what really goes on among cabin crew, how many languages the flight attendant can converse in and how glamorous the lifestyle really is.

Click here to receive the REAL definition of a flight attendant!

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Airline Customer Service

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/19airlinecustsvc.mp3|titles=Airline Customer Service]TOPIC: GRADING AIRLINE SERVICE

LEVEL: EASY

Read the introductory text about the National Airline Quality Rating. Pay attention to the key criteria used to evaluate airline service performance.

The National Airline Quality Rating  – a joint research project shared by Wichita State University and Purdue University – shows that airline performance is steadily improving. The results of the research made public in April 2010 (read article)  were based on several performance criteria: on-time arrivals, involuntary denied boardings, mishandled baggage and a combination of 12 customer complaint categories, such as oversales, refunds, discriminations, handling of pets, etc.

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In-flight medical problems and emergencies

In-flight medical problems and emergencies

Aim

• Practice English skills in an aviation context
• Become familiar with relevant medical terminology
• Have fun!

“Is there a doctor onboard?!” It’s a familiar scene from movies – Hollywood loves a medical emergency. So does the media. A woman giving birth on a plane, for example, is a great news story – and it happens.

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Stress Management for Flight Attendants

Stress management for flight attendants

Aim

• Practice English skills in an aviation context
• Improve vocabulary while learning stress management tips (difficult)
• Have fun!

By now everyone has heard or read about the flight attendant who made his own emergency exit upon landing, when a bad day at work became too much.

Link to article Raging flight attendant makes his own emergency exit

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Flight Attendant Interviews

Flight Attendant Interviews

Aim

• Practice English skills in an aviation context
• Learn some interview skills and gain confidence
• Have fun!

Do you know anyone who breezes through interviews without a hint of nervousness?  Wouldn’t that be great?  Unfortunately, it’s rare!  Most of us get nervous just thinking about it, and need all the help we can get.  For anyone planning to attend cabin crew interviews, some tailored advice follows.

4 tips to a successful cabin crew interview

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English for Flight Attendants

Flight Attendants can use this site to study, improve and maintain their  level of Aviation English.

With this site you can read about the vocabulary that is specific to your area, listen to the pronunciation, and practice what you have learnt with a mini quiz at the end of the lesson.

Contact us to know more about practicing Aviation English for Flight Attendants for specific situations.

Topics for English for Flight Attendants

– The Romance of Aviation

– Parts Inside the Aircraft

– The Story of a Flight Attendant

– Parts of the Aircraft

– Stress Management

– Air Rage – Causes and Prevention

– Jet Lag

– Countries and Cultures

– Flight Attendant Interviews

– Packing

– Cabin Crew Procedures

– Religion and Cultural Sensitivities

– Health Problems on Board

Interview Guide for Flight Attendants

Interview Guide for Flight Attendants – https://aviationenglishblog.com/flight-attendant-interview-guide/

Chapter 1: Flight Attendant Careers

Chapter 2: Applying for a Job

Chapter 3: Participating in the interview

Chapter 4: Airline Directory

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