Many people are afraid of flying and the fact that they don’t understand what a flight attendant is saying in English makes them even more nervous. But knowing the following vocabulary will enable you to understand everything happening aboard the plane and stay calm. So have a safe flight!

Flight Safety Instructions

When you’re on a plane, you may hear a flight attendant give a speech like this:

We’ll be taking off momentarily, so please make sure your carry-on baggage is stowed securely, either in an overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. Mobile phones and other electronic devices should be turned off.

There are six exits on this plane – 3 doors, on each side. All exits are clearly marked with an exit sign. Please take the time to find the exit nearest you.

If you’re seated in an exit row, please review the responsibilities for emergency exit seating, on the back of the safety information card which is in your seat pocket. If you are unable, or prefer not to do this, please let us know, and we will be happy to find you another seat.

If there is a loss of cabin pressure, the panels above your seat will open, and oxygen masks will drop down. If this happens, place the mask over your nose and mouth, and adjust it as necessary. Be sure to adjust your own mask before helping others. In the event of a water landing, life vests are under your seat.

Whenever the seat belt sign is on, please make sure your seat belt is fastened.

Smoking is not allowed on our flights, and federal law prohibits tampering with, disabling, or destroying a smoke detector.

Thank you for your attention. We hope you enjoy your flight!

VOCABULARY

momentarily – soon; in a moment

stowed securely – put away safely (“to stow” means to put something away, and “secure” means in a safe place)

overhead compartment – a “compartment” is a small place where you can put things;

the “overhead compartments” are the places above the seat where people put their bags

devices – small machines, like games, mp3 players, DVD players, etc.

exits – where you leave (a plane, room, or building)

mark(ed) – to show where something is (the exits are “marked” with an “exit sign” showing a person walking through a door)

responsibilities – things that you should do or have to do

emergency – when something very serious happens and you need to act quickly (like a car accident, an earthquake, or a fire)

seat pocket – the “pocket” on the back of the seat in front of you, with magazines, safety instructions, etc.

unable to – cannot; not able to

loss of cabin pressure – the air in the airplane gets lighter or heavier, and it becomes harder to breathe

panels – small doors; flat pieces of wood, metal, plastic, etc.

oxygen masks – masks that help you breathe oxygen, for example, when there is a loss of cabin pressure

adjust – to change the position of somethingas necessary – as you need to

fasten – to tighten

federal law – the law of a country

tampering with, disabling, or destroying – changing, turning off, or breaking