BBC初級口語:Pet Airways 寵物專用航空公司

Background: 一家用來只供寵物飛行使用的航空公司聽起來很奇怪，不過美國最新的 Pet Airways 寵物航空改裝了幾架貨運飛機就準備來運送寵物們。寵物的主人們只要付250美元 （大約合人民幣1,700元）就可以把他們親愛的寵物夥伴送上這次寵物之旅，此次旅程出發日期是2009年7月14日。

【文本】

Pet Airways

An estimated one million animals fly each year in America, usually in a plane's cargo hold. One such trip for Jack Russell Terrier Zoe was enough to convince her owners Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel that pets needed to travel in style. The husband and wife team came up with the idea of Pet Airways.

Some of the 50 'pawssengers', as they're called on America's newest airline, probably couldn't help but wag their tails when the maiden flight was ready for take off on Tuesday. One of the first to board was Vito, a Border Collie and Australian Shepherd mix. Her owner, Heather Donahue, saw her off:

Heather Donahue:
"Well it was important for me that my dog Vito had a comfortable flight. And he's not a suitcase, you know, he's a family friend and a part of the family, so it was really important for us that he be safe and comfortable and be able to have a vacation with us."

Cats and dogs are able to enjoy pre-boarding walks and at each of the five airports Pet Airways serves, there is even a pet lounge providing pre-flight entertainment.

Upon boarding, the jet-setters are escorted by pet attendants who see to their every need during the flight.
The first flight, from New York to Los Angeles, was a success says Pet Airways. Flights are booked solid for the next two months and the airline is already considering expanding. Within the next three years it hopes to serve the pet jet-set in 25 North American cities.

【口語突破】

cargo hold 貨艙

Jack Russell Terrier 傑克羅素梗 （一種白色梗類犬）

pawssengers 指乘客 'passenger'，這裏用了爪子'paw' ，蹄，意思就是這些乘客都是動物

wag their tails 搖尾巴

maiden flight 首航

Border Collie and Australian Shepherd mix 邊境柯利犬和澳洲牧羊犬混血

saw her off 送行，告別

pre-boarding 登機前

jet-setters 乘飛機到處旅行的人（這裏指乘坐此次航班的寵物）

escorted 護送

see to their every need 照看及滿足它們一切需求

booked solid （航班）完全預訂滿了

expanding 擴大

【Exercises】

Questions:

1. How many pets were on Pet Airways' first flight?

2. What can the pets do before their flight takes off?

3. Do the pets get on the flight alone?

4. Does Pet Airways look like it might be a financial success?
Click here for answers

【Keys】

Answers

1. How many pets were on Pet Airways' first flight?
50.

2. What can the pets do before their flight takes off?
They can go on a walk and enjoy entertainment in a pet lounge.

3. Do the pets get on the flight alone?
No, they are escorted by pet attendants who serve them on the flight.

4. Does Pet Airways look like it might be a financial success?
Yes. Flights are booked solid for two months and the airline wants to expand.

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