BreakingNewsEnglish - Many online quizzes at URL below

Airline starts to weigh True / False

luggage AND passengers 1) All passengers flying with Finnair must now be
weighed. T / F
4th March 2024 2) Weight is important in ensuring safe take-offs
and landings. T / F
Finland's national
carrier Finnair has 3) The weight of an aircraft includes water tanks.
started weighing T/F
passengers on its flights
4) Airlines know exactly how much their
from the capital city of
passengers weigh. T / F
Helsinki. The weigh-ins
are being done on a 5) Finnair said it had no concerns about a
voluntary basis and are possible customer backlash. T / F
completely anonymous.
6) More than 1,000 passengers were weighed in
A company
a week. T / F
spokesperson said the
new initiative is to ensure safety standards on 7) Finnair was not interested in weighing
flights are adhered to. He said any airplane should business class passengers. T / F
not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe
8) The weight of passengers is kept entirely
take-offs and landings. This weight is made up of
confidential. T / F
the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and
cargo, onboard catering, water tanks, and
passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the Synonym Match
exact weight of passengers and their carry-on (The words in bold are from the news article.)
baggage, so they have to rely on average estimates
1. carrier a. comprised
provided by aviation authorities.
2. anonymous b. retaliation
Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are
stepping on weighing scales at the departure gates 3. initiative c. precise
at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially 4. made up of d. unnamed
concerned about a customer backlash because
weight is such a personal issue. However, in the 5. exact e. representative
first week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had
agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope 6. initially f. airline
to have a good sample of volunteers, both business 7. backlash g. cross section
and leisure travellers, so that we can get the most
accurate information possible for important balance 8. sample h. details
calculations." It added: "Our customers have taken 9. official i. scheme
it really positively so far." An official said travellers
could "rest assured" and have "peace of mind" that 10. data j. at first
their weight would not be linked to their personal
data.
Discussion – Student A
Sources: sky.com / theguardian.com / euronews.com
a) What do you think about what you read?

Writing b) Would you volunteer to be weighed?

It is wrong to weigh people before they board an c) Are you worried about your weight?
airplane. Discuss. d) What might Finnair change after it finishes
its tests?
Chat e) How much do you worry about the security
of your personal data?
Talk about these words from the article.
f) What advice do you have for Finnair?
Finland / passengers / flights / capital city /
anonymous / initiative / aircraft / cargo / g) What do you think of airports?
volunteer / weighing scales / backlash / business / h) What questions would you like to ask
leisure / balance / peace of mind Finnair?

LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2403/240304-weighing-airline-passengers.html Copyright Sean Banville 2024

BreakingNewsEnglish - Many online quizzes at URL below

Phrase Match
1. Finland's national a. customer backlash
2. being done on a voluntary b. are adhered to
3. ensure safety standards on flights c. by aviation authorities
4. the prescribed maximum weight d. assured
5. rely on average estimates provided e. of mind
6. departure f. carrier Finnair
7. initially concerned about a g. gates
8. Our customers have taken it really h. for safe take-offs
9. travellers could rest i. positively so far
10. have peace j. basis

Discussion – Student B Role Play

a) What do you think of your national carrier? Role A – Food
b) What do you think of being weighed before You think the food is the best thing about airplanes.
you fly? Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what
is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others
c) Should passengers pay for their ticket
which is the worst of these (and why): seat
according to their weight?
comfort, in-flight entertainment or other
d) Do you ever worry that airplanes are too passengers.
heavy? Role B – Seat Comfort
e) What do you think of flying? You think seat comfort is the best thing about
f) How safe is flying? airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell
them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the
g) Should there be more limits on the weight of others which is the worst of these (and why): food,
baggage? in-flight entertainment or other passengers.
h) What do you think of taking off and landing? Role C – In-flight Entertainment
You think the in-flight entertainment is the best
Spelling thing about airplanes. Tell the others three reasons
why. Tell them what is wrong with their things.
1. Finland's national iacerrr Finnair Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and
2. completely mnsaynuoo why): seat comfort, food or other passengers.
Role D – Other Passengers
3. the new ntvetiiiia You think other passengers are the best thing about
4. exceed the bdircrpees maximum weight airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell
them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the
5. carry-on begagag others which is the worst of these (and why): seat
comfort, in-flight entertainment or food.
6. iiavatno authorities
7. at the aeprreudt gates Speaking – Airplanes
8. officials were inltaiiyl concerned Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about
airplanes at the top. Change partners often and share your
9. a customer bhcklsaa rankings.

10. get the most aucretac information • Flying • Seat comfort

• Food • Other passengers
11. important balance claoitnsaulc • Flight crew • Reading material
12. rest aesrdus • Legroom • In-flight entertainment

Answers – Synonym Match Answers – True False

1. f 2. d 3. i 4. a 5. c 1 F 2 T 3 T 4 F 5 F 6 T 7 F 8 T
6. j 7. b 8. g 9. e 10. h Answers to Phrase Match and Spelling are in the text.

LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2403/240304-weighing-airline-passengers.html Copyright Sean Banville 2024