Question of the Day- Your First Airplane Ride
By DB
@dgobucks226 (34499)
March 1, 2024 7:50pm CST
Do you remember your first airplane ride? I was about 7 years old when I traveled from New Jersey to North Carolina (U.S.) with my parents to see my grandad and grandma. They were on my mom's side of the family, and I also met aunts, uncles, and cousins too.
What I remember most is that it was a propeller plane, a model long obsolete. I also remember waiting in anticipation for takeoff into the air, and how excited I was seeing how high we were in the sky as I looked out the window. That feeling when the plane lifts off into the air is something I still anticipate when I fly. How about you?
Anyway, that was my experience. I still enjoy looking out the window at the tiny homes and waterways when I flew to Florida in the winter. Which is kind of strange coming from someone who has a fear of falling and is afraid to go up on a Ferris wheel or roller coaster. 
So, your turn. Where did you go on your first airplane ride and how old were you? How would you describe that first experience in the air? Do you enjoy flying?
***FUN AIRPLANE FACTS: Did you know that...
1. Planes have 2 engines, but every commercial airplane can safely fly with just one engine.
2. The planes tires are designed not to pop upon landing. No flat tires here!
3. Airplane trails are made up of water. The white streaks you see in the sky are condensation caused by hot water being released from the plane's engines.
Some Source Info: Travel and Leisure
Photo-
So, your turn. Where did you go on your first airplane ride and how old were you? How would you describe that first experience in the air? Do you enjoy flying?
***FUN AIRPLANE FACTS: Did you know that...
1. Planes have 2 engines, but every commercial airplane can safely fly with just one engine.
2. The planes tires are designed not to pop upon landing. No flat tires here!
3. Airplane trails are made up of water. The white streaks you see in the sky are condensation caused by hot water being released from the plane's engines.
Some Source Info: Travel and Leisure
Photo-14 people like this
14 responses
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
6 Mar
@dgobucks226 -
- My first flight was not at all long Milan to London is around a 2 hours flight
- Our longest flight was from Nice (France) to Los Angeles, it is a 12 hours flight.
I have seen those secret bedrooms once. Those rest rooms of the cabin crew are usually located behind the cockpit and above the first class in the Boeing 777. Hidden stairs lead to the bedrooms. We had a friend who was an Air France pilot and he showed us.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
8 Mar
@LadyDuck Milan to London seems longer, but 2 hours is no time at all. Now 12 hours that is another story. I would need a couple bathroom breaks on that flight. 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Oh yes, the 747 is a big one! That's a long trip, do you remember how long it took to get there?
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-That tiny hole on the airplane window has an important function.
* It helps to regulate cabin pressure. There are 3 windowpanes; the exterior one keeps things out and regulates pressure, the middle acts as a backup, and the hole in the interior also helps maintain pressure, along with keeping the middle pane in place and intact.
-Some airplanes have secret bedrooms for flight crew. Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliners, are outfitted with tiny bedrooms where the flight crew can get a little shut-eye.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
2 Mar
I was 9 and it was March of 1964. We were flying out of Philadelphia going to Idlewild (now JFK) where we could change planes to fly to Venezuela to live until Dad's job there was done. They had to push me on to the plane because I froze at the door.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
6 Mar
@dgobucks226 I think my fear was mainly it was an unknown and I was afraid of everything - especially needles. I knew about the air pressure, but not about the lights dimming. That's more troublesome to me than comforting, honestly. The flight itself was great. I was always wanting to fly somewhere after that
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Did the plane itself scare you or was it what might happen to you if you went up in the sky? How was the plane trip once you did go? Aviation has come a long way since then.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-There's a reason why cabin crews dim the lights when a plane is landing at night. In the unlikely event that the plane landing goes badly, and passengers need to evacuate, their eyes will already be adjusted to the darkness.
--That tiny hole on the airplane window has an important function.
* It helps to regulate cabin pressure. There are 3 windowpanes; the exterior one keeps things out and regulates pressure, the middle acts as a backup, and the hole in the interior also helps maintain pressure, along with keeping the middle pane in place and intact.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
8 Mar
@jerzgirl Glad it was a pleasant experience for you. Once were in the sky safely is when I start to enjoy the trip.
Yes, the dimming lights is kind of creepy. I was on a night flight, and they did dim the lights. I never knew there was a specific reason for it.
Yes, the dimming lights is kind of creepy. I was on a night flight, and they did dim the lights. I never knew there was a specific reason for it.1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (95400)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
2 Mar
My first plane ride that I remember was in the summer of 1970 traveling with my relatives from Miami to Panama City Panama. I was around nine years old.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (95400)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
6 Mar
@dgobucks226 The trip from Miami to Panama City was non stop back in 1972.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
9 Mar
@Deepizzaguy 
I would need some leg stretching on that trip.
I would need some leg stretching on that trip.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
That's quite a trip. Did you stop for refueling or another connecting flight? Did you enjoy the experience or were you nervous flying?
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
-There's a reason why cabin crews dim the lights when a plane is landing at night. In the unlikely event that the plane landing goes badly, and passengers need to evacuate, their eyes will already be adjusted to the darkness.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55818)
• Portugal
6 Mar
@dgobucks226 I have but I don't enjoy flying, so it is never a pleasant experience for me.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
I see. Have you flown since then? If so, what was your most pleasant flying experience?
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Airplane environments make food taste worse.
-That tiny hole on the airplane window has an important function.
* It helps to regulate cabin pressure. There are 3 window panes; the exterior one keeps things out and regulates pressure, the middle acts as a backup, and the hole in the interior also helps maintain pressure, along with keeing the middle pane in place and intact.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (158689)
• United States
2 Mar
I think it was 1966 or '67; and I was 18. I flew with a girlfriend to Bermuda. It was quite an enjoyable flight. I'm afraid to fly now except in a small plane. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (158689)
• United States
6 Mar
@dgobucks226 There are just too many passengers on planes these days.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Planes have gotten quite large these days. From two to three seats making, you feel like your packed like a sardine in a can. Bermuda, what a nice destination to go to.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
1 person likes this
@telluska75 (25)
• Lappeenranta, Finland
6 Mar
My first aeroplane ride was back in the 80s when I travelled from Helsinki to Agadir Marocco with my aunt. That also was my first long-distance trip ever.
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
8 Mar
How long did the trip take to get there?
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS: Did you know...
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
-Airplane environments make food taste worse.
-There's a reason why cabin crews dim the lights when a plane is landing at night. In the unlikely event that the plane landing goes badly, and passengers need to evacuate, their eyes will already be adjusted to the darkness.
Thanks for responding!
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
9 Mar
@telluska75 That's too long for me. I would need to stretch my legs and get a bathroom break with an 8-hour trip. 4 is not bad. I've flown on trips that took a little over 3 hours.
@telluska75 (25)
• Lappeenranta, Finland
8 Mar
@dgobucks226 interesting facts. At the time the trip took almost 8 hours, nowadays about 4 hours.
@AmbiePam (85984)
• United States
2 Mar
I don’t remember my first plane ride because I was only one and a half years old. I live in Oklahoma, and at that point we moved to California for two years. After that, I didn’t ride in a plane again until I was nineteen, on my way to Australia. My sister was sitting beside me on the plane, talking to me about how safer planes were than to drive. I didn’t know why she was going into detail when I wasn’t worried at all. I found out quickly why when I started to tell her the statistics on crashing on land vs. water that she hadn’t been trying to reassure me, but to make herself feel better. She did NOT appreciate the statistics I thought were fascinating.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Well overall, they say plane travel statistically is pretty safe. Your sister was practicing some positive reinforcement to keep her calm. Australia must have been a fun country to visit. And a long plane ride too.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
-Airplane environments make food taste worse.
Australia must have been a fun country to visit. And a long plane ride too.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
-Airplane environments make food taste worse.1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85984)
• United States
5 Mar
@dgobucks226 I believe it on the food! I gave mine to the guy who sat near my sister.
Yes, it was very fun, and New Zealand was too.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216405)
• Chile
2 Mar
I was 11 and the plane was a plane from a company that no longer exists. Nor do those planes, for that reason.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216405)
• Chile
5 Mar
@dgobucks226 I flew from Chile to the US. It took ages as those planes were slower. But the meal was delicious and the stewardness gave us painting books and crayons. The aisle of the plane was so wide that we could run there. And the pilots invited us to the cockpit.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Where did you fly to? Did you enjoy the flight?
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Some airplanes have secret bedrooms for flight crew. Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliners, are outfitted with tiny bedrooms where the flight crew can get a little shut-eye.
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58939)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Mar
I don't remember the first time I flew. The time I do remember, according to my parents (late parents) wasn't the first time I flew. But, flying is a great sorce of anxiety for me. Mostly because I have to travle with a wheelchair. And, while I lucked out the one time I flew with one, it's not a risk I'm willing to take.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
I see. It can be quite anxious up there for sure!
Thanks for responding
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
You prefer your feet firmly planted on the ground
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Some airplanes have secret bedrooms for flight crew. Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliners, are outfitted with tiny bedrooms where the flight crew can get a little shut-eye.
-There's a reason why cabin crews dim the lights when a plane is landing at night. In the unlikely event that the plane landing goes badly, and passengers need to evacuate, their eyes will already be adjusted to the darkness.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Some airplanes have secret bedrooms for flight crew. Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliners, are outfitted with tiny bedrooms where the flight crew can get a little shut-eye.
-There's a reason why cabin crews dim the lights when a plane is landing at night. In the unlikely event that the plane landing goes badly, and passengers need to evacuate, their eyes will already be adjusted to the darkness.1 person likes this
I wasn't aware of the bedroom dillybob but that last thing about dim lights actually makes sense.
@FourWalls (62736)
• United States
2 Mar
I think 1974 was my first airplane ride, and 1989 was my last.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62736)
• United States
6 Mar
@dgobucks226 — first was Daytona Beach-Louisville and back, last one was Louisville-Manchester, New Hampshire and back.
And LOL to your jokes. What’s the vector, Victor?
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12499)
• Ireland
2 Mar
@dgobucks226 Oh yes, I was six in 1964 and it was a marathon with multiple changes. Belfast-London-Zurich-Rome-Cairo-Khartoum-Nairobi-Dar Es Salaam-Blantyre. I’m exhausted thinking about it. Mixture of aircraft. Another fact about planes - the seats have a layer of fart-filtering charcoal in them.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Wow! You been everywhere man! Just like the song...
Now that is some "fart" I mean fact you added there..
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
@amitkokiladitya (171935)
• Agra, India
2 Mar
Yes..i guess we all do remember our forst airplane rides
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Yes, if were not too young to recall the details.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
-Airplane environments make food taste worse.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Oxygen masks last for only 15 minutes.
-Airplane environments make food taste worse.
@Beestring (13486)
• Hong Kong
2 Mar
My first plane ride was to the Philippines. I was about 19, studying at the university. Some of my classmates and I joined a tour to the Philippines for fun.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34499)
•
5 Mar
Thanks for sharing. I enjoy guided tours, interesting learning experiences.
MORE FUN PLANE FACTS:
-Airplane environments make food taste worse.
-That tiny hole on the airplane window has an important function.
* It helps to regulate cabin pressure. There are 3 windowpanes; the exterior one keeps things out and regulates pressure, the middle acts as a backup, and the hole in the interior also helps maintain pressure, along with keeping the middle pane in place and intact.
1 person likes this
