Do You Remember Your First Journey On An Aeroplane?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
July 6, 2010 5:40pm CST
I do! Way back in 1986 the family (apart from my brother, who wisely stayed at home to look after the cats) decided to travel to "the old" Yugoslavia as it was then.
Because none of us had been on an aeroplane before (apart from Dad during his National Service in the Cameroon many years previous to that) we never knew what to expect.
I cannot remember who owned the aircraft but some know-all sat next to me (who chain-smoked and took photos through the window the whole way there) told me it was bought from Sweden second-hand. I felt like saying to him, "and that explains the tape holding the wings together does it?" but I kept schtum lol.
We did eat there and back and in those days it was all included in the flight but it was only 4 seats wide and really quite awful, to be honest.
However, the following year, I boarded a HUGE Cal-Air plane to Spain that was 11 seats wide, no less. I remember the red stripe very clearly and that enormous extra engine on the tail, which is a DC-10 feature as far as I know. It even had a display on board to show how high we were and how far we had to go to reach Barcelona. Way ahead of its time and that year I had the best holiday ever.
So, yes, the plane journey DOES matter, at least to me at any rate. What are your experiences of your first flight? Were you nervous or do you (like me) get excited when you're 33,000 feet in the air lol. I'll never forget seeing a plane fly past coming in the opposite direction. My, they don't half move fast. My friend Caroline was terrified when she spotted it but I just went, "Whoa, that was BRILLIANT!" which made her feel worse.
Haha!
We did eat there and back and in those days it was all included in the flight but it was only 4 seats wide and really quite awful, to be honest.
However, the following year, I boarded a HUGE Cal-Air plane to Spain that was 11 seats wide, no less. I remember the red stripe very clearly and that enormous extra engine on the tail, which is a DC-10 feature as far as I know. It even had a display on board to show how high we were and how far we had to go to reach Barcelona. Way ahead of its time and that year I had the best holiday ever.
So, yes, the plane journey DOES matter, at least to me at any rate. What are your experiences of your first flight? Were you nervous or do you (like me) get excited when you're 33,000 feet in the air lol. I'll never forget seeing a plane fly past coming in the opposite direction. My, they don't half move fast. My friend Caroline was terrified when she spotted it but I just went, "Whoa, that was BRILLIANT!" which made her feel worse.
Haha!2 people like this
16 responses
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Jul 10
My first flight was in 1978 from Los Angeles to Zurich. I remember the flight attendants coming around "Tsiti" (Swiss German for newspaper) and not much more really. I wasn't scared, I was excited.
About 3 1/2 years ago we took the children to Disneyworld. We had a stopover in Denver and it was so turbulent coming in that the adults were getting airsick. Poor Naomi was the only one of us who lost it and I felt so bad that I hadn't given her a Dramamine. Cary has a totally cast iron stomach and nerves though, and he was going "yee hah, do it again!"
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Jul 10
Cary is a virgo, and so is Naomi...
I like to see what's going on too. When I fly from here down to Los Angeles, I like to sit on the left hand side. On a clear day, you can see Yosemite from the plane.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 Jul 10
Cary sounds like my kinda guy lol. He's not an Aries is he (like me) totally fearless..well, sort of!
I must admit though, I'm not a big fan of night flights. It used to be cheaper to fly at night but I don't think that applies anymore. I like to see what's going on as well, like planes flying underneath, that type of thing.
Haha!
He's not an Aries is he (like me) totally fearless..well, sort of!
I must admit though, I'm not a big fan of night flights. It used to be cheaper to fly at night but I don't think that applies anymore. I like to see what's going on as well, like planes flying underneath, that type of thing.
Haha!1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Jul 10
It was impressive flying over Nevada..it's absolutely vast! I also remember the Captain in the Cal-Air going on about the Alps, etc that he was flying over. He was very posh but you felt safe because of his poshness, "Here is your Captain speaking" and all that lol.
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
16 Jul 10
My first flight was in 1994 and was from Melbourne to Brisbane in Australia. It was a 2 hour flight. I loved it and was really excited about it. I was travelling by myself to see some old work friends who had moved to Brisbane so I was excited and nervous about travelling to another city that I had never been to before by myself.
The last flight that I took was only last Saturday when I returned home from Norfolk Island, ironically to Brisbane airport where I landed on my first flight!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
16 Jul 10
11 seats wide! Wow! I think that the widest plane I have ever been on was 10 wide. 3 seats on either side and a centre row of seats that was four wide I am pretty sure. That was from Sydney to Los Angeles with Qantas.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Jul 10
I remember counting them because the Yugo Tours plane the year before only had 4 (2 each side) so to go from that to 11 was amazing.
Such a shame Cal-Air no longer exist but I can't wait for the massive Airbuses!!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Jul 10
I was excited from start to finish when we travelled to the "old" Yugoslavia and the Cal-Air plane to Spain the following year was WAY, WAY ahead of its time. 11 seats wide..to Spain? Are you kidding me? No, I'm not, 11 seats wide and the Captain told us how many people were on board..something silly like 520! I've never seen anything like it. In fact it was a better plane than the ones we've travelled to America on. This is why I want to travel with Virgin Atlantic because they have one of the youngest fleets in the skies.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
16 Jul 10
I remember my first flight and I took it in June 1987. I flew from London to Athens. I sat by the window and my mom had the middle seat. I liked seeing the fields when it took off but I found seeing the clouds a bit boring after a while. I got the most terrible ear pain when the plane began to descend. When the plane landing the pain was extreme. In 1996 a friend gave me a pair of ear planes and now I don't get ear pain anymore now I fly on planes. Wow! It must have been exciting to see the other plane go fast past the plane you were on. We took a ferry down to Spetse Island and had a fantastic holiday. Before our homeward flight we got to see quite a lot of the city of Athens. Then we had a delayed flight that we sat on the floor all night waiting for.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Jul 10
Waiting for planes is the most boring part isn't it, especially if they are late! I like to wait as long as possible before boarding a plane. I certainly did that when I was with my mate going to Spain. Didn't have a care in the world in those days!
Yes, I remember the plane beneath us...it was probably a few miles away but I couldn't get over how fast it was travelling...obviously on a different flight path (and going in the opposite direction) so I suppose we were flying at that same, high speed.
My ears tend to pop during the ascent and descent as well and one year I actually had an ear infection coming home from the old Yugoslavia. It was a nightmare but the flight attendants were lovely. I remember the first meal I had when I came home was beans on toast because the food was so awful over there!
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
7 Jul 10
Oh yes I certainly do.
It was summer 1966 and I flew from Manchester Ringway airport to Paris on a Trident Jet (a vertical take off plane) I was going to spend a month with my French Pen Pal in Montlucon and I was 14 and a half and very excited!!
It was an Air France plain and we had a very French salad with lots of ingredients that were very new to me - I loved the whole experience.
Incidentally the day I flew back was the day that England won the World Cup!!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Wow, I never knew the Trident was a vertical take-off plane, you learn something new every day here on MyLot! What a wonderful memory to have..Paris AND England winning the World Cup.
Incidentally, I was born in 1966 but before the World Cup started. However, my brother was born 14 months later in May 1967 so I reckon he was a baby boomer from us winning the World Cup lol.
Incidentally, I was born in 1966 but before the World Cup started. However, my brother was born 14 months later in May 1967 so I reckon he was a baby boomer from us winning the World Cup lol.
@karen1969 (1779)
•
13 Jul 10
I have a phobia of travelling on an aeroplane so I haven't yet been in one, not even when it's been on the ground! I am scared of heights which doesn't help. I guess I will go in one at some point though, as I want to travel to other countries in the future.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Jul 10
I think some airlines have courses whereby you can have it all explained to you (along with other people of the same ilk) and you get to fly short distances, such as the area around Manchester Airport. It may be worth considering because, honestly, it's so much fun to fly, you're missing out on an experience of a lifetime, believe me.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
6 Jul 10
Yes, I do remember. I've only been on an airplane once. I went on an airplane to o to Florida to visit Disney World with my family. It was about 9 years ago, when I was ten years old. I found the weather to be really hot and I hate sweating. I remember complaining a lot. I remember I didn't want to go on any rides because I was afraid, but I did go on some. My favorite was Fast Track, I think. We tried to get as many autographs of the characters as possible. I loved swimming in the pool that was near our hotel.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
7 Jul 10
I can remember it a little bit. I remember how I felt as the plane ascended into the sky. It was a pretty smooth flight. My father told me to be careful about my ears popping, but I don't think I felt them pop. I think I was holding my breath. I don't remember.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Ascending is the best bit, I love it. Thanks for that.
@animegirl334 (3263)
• United States
7 Jul 10
I'm not sure if it was the first time I've been on an airplane but I remember riding the airplane when I was very young. My mother helped me pack a bag with jello cups, coloring books and my favorite doll as my hand carry. I remember the security guard joking with me and asking me if he could have a jello cup. On the plane, I played a mario game and watched the Matrix when a stewardess walked by and gave me juice. It is a very happy memory.
It is a very happy memory.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Awww that is lovely, thanks for sharing that with us.I was 20 the first time I boarded a plane which is probably why I can remember it so well.
I was 20 the first time I boarded a plane which is probably why I can remember it so well.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Yes, it's the same with me and my hubby although we only travelled 2 years ago so shouldn't complain really.
The Cal-Air plane I travelled on in 1987 was awesome as it was so BIG compared to the tiny one I was on the year before. I knew, once I saw that plane that I was in for a good holiday...and I was!
@ehsanji (503)
• Pakistan
10 Jul 10
It was so interesting to read what you wrote... thanks for sharing with us. The whole traveling experience was kind of going through my eyes when I was reading your post.
As far as I am concerned, to be honest, I never had a chance to go from one place to another using aeroplane. Can you believe that?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
10 Jul 10
I am glad you liked what I wrote my friend...and welcome to MyLot.To be honest, I was in my 20s when I first flew anywhere and my nephew was about 6 years old when he flew abroad..so it was a while before I travelled abroad on an aeroplane.
There is one thing in your favour though having not flown...it's a known fact that the more you fly the more chance there is of the plane crashing!
So you might be better off on the ground my friend!
To be honest, I was in my 20s when I first flew anywhere and my nephew was about 6 years old when he flew abroad..so it was a while before I travelled abroad on an aeroplane.
There is one thing in your favour though having not flown...it's a known fact that the more you fly the more chance there is of the plane crashing!
So you might be better off on the ground my friend! @schatzjopie (34)
• Indonesia
7 Jul 10
hi janey...the first journey on aeroplane when i travel to Bali island in Indonesia. cause i'm leaving in Indonesia, i departed from soekarno-hatta airport in jakarta.i use a very large aero plane,known Airbus. The aeroplane name is "Garuda Indonesia Air" So, i very happy when i journey with aeroplane for the first time. However, because it's the first time in aeroplaane, i often throw up on the plane. The timen intravel form capital city,jakarta to Bali island is 3.5 Hours. it's longtime.so, i take a bad on the plane. and i arrived before the plane landing on the airport. it's amazing. travelling with aeroplane
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Hello there and welcome to MyLot.Bali is on my list of places to visit. A friend of mine (since passed away) travelled a lot and he absolutely loved Bali. He would be smiling down from Heaven when I went to Las Vegas because he was always nagging me to go there too.
I love Airbuses, they are my favourite planes.
It's a shame you were ill but at least you have happy memories of your first flight. It's amazing what we can remember from a long time ago.
Bali is on my list of places to visit. A friend of mine (since passed away) travelled a lot and he absolutely loved Bali. He would be smiling down from Heaven when I went to Las Vegas because he was always nagging me to go there too.
I love Airbuses, they are my favourite planes.
It's a shame you were ill but at least you have happy memories of your first flight. It's amazing what we can remember from a long time ago. @portisray (503)
• Philippines
7 Jul 10
Hello Janey! Yes, I still remember my first journey on an airplane because it was just 2 years ago...
Me and my mother and my two sisters went to Boracay and I remember my ears were popping and when we arrived, I almost cannot hear a thing only the humming in my ears!
Somehow, it really was an adventure for me because I love traveling but couldn't afford the transportation fees... So that was my first journey and I won't say that it is going to be my last...
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Hehe! Yes, I know what you mean. Once you start travelling in that way it's difficult to stop...if funds allow of course. I had a spell in the 80s and 90s of always saving up for holidays, I got a real buzz out of it. I have always loved the build up, taking a taxi to the airport, checking in and once on the plane, well, that's it..smiling all the way to my destination...but NOT on the way back!!
@aquariand (464)
•
6 Jul 10
yes i went to the isle of mann it was fun as we kept hitting air pockets and the plane would dip
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
6 Jul 10
Oh yes, turbulence, what fun..or not, depending on how bad it is! I remember a night flight (not keen on those) back from Corfu and we hit turbulence a number of times due to a storm. I can honestly say I was actually quite frightened on that flight but that has been the only time, thankfully.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Do you remember how big the plane was? Did you have any food on board? Where did you fly to?
Yes, I would be very happy too if I were able to fly somewhere again.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jul 10
Where did you travel from? What was the experience on the plane like?
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
8 Jul 10
Hello Janey. My first flight was in 1965 to the Costa Brava. There wasn't a direct flight in then, so we flew to Perpignan in France and went the rest of the way by coach, staying overnight in a hotel in Lyon.
I was really looking forward to it, but it was a really old plane, and on the way over, we hit the mother and father of a storm. The plane was making like it was part of the Red Arrows aerobatic team, and I thought I was going to die.
My mother had to drag me back on the plane to go home, and I still hate flying to this day. I have to fly sometimes of course, but I do everything I can to avoid it.
