Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. widespread
    • ex. There was a widespread issue with the new app. Many users experienced problems while using it.
  2. stranded
    • ex. The train suddenly stopped, and passengers were stranded for hours.
  3. rebook
    • ex. After the storm, many travelers had to rebook their flights to get home.
  4. a refund
    • ex. She asked for a refund because the toy she ordered online was broken.
  5. compensation
    • ex. The company offered free meals as compensation to customers who had to wait a long time.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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On July 19, a widespread technology issue caused delays for thousands of flights in Europe and the U.S. Many travelers were stranded at airports because major airlines, like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, could not fly. The issue affected many important systems such as passenger check-ins and airplane communication.

Despite efforts to fix the problem, many travelers faced days of travel delays. So, airlines allowed changes to passengers’ travel plans. Here are some tips for passengers experiencing flight problems. They should immediately contact their airline using different methods, such as social media or airline apps. Airlines are expected to help travelers rebook their flights or offer refunds for canceled flights.

If the flight is canceled, travelers can receive a full refund, no matter what type of ticket they have. Many travelers prefer getting a new ticket, but buying another ticket very close to the trip might cost more than a refund. In Europe, travelers can get compensation for delayed and canceled flights under the EU261 law. Meanwhile, in the U.S., airlines set their own rules for helping stranded travelers with costs, like hotels and meals.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Flight Problems

  • On July 19, a widespread technology issue caused delays for thousands of flights in Europe and the U.S. What do you think is the impact of this incident? Discuss.
  • Imagine you are stranded at an airport in another country. What would you do? Discuss.
  • The article mentions how flight problems are handled in Europe and in the U.S. Which airline policies do you think are better for travelers, European or US policies? Why? Discuss.

Solutions to Delayed Flights

  • Airlines are expected to help rebook flights or offer refunds for canceled flights no matter the ticket type. Do you think this is fair? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Imagine that your flight is delayed. Which of the options offered by airlines would you choose, a flight rebooking or a refund? Why? Discuss.
  • Imagine that you are one of the decision-makers in an airline company. What compensation would you give customers affected by delays? Discuss.