My First ‘On-Air’ Experience

I don't remember when was the last time I traveled via plane as I was very small.

I don't remember when was the last time I traveled via plane as I was very small. I always wanted to have that experience and remember it. The marriage function of my friend in India privileged this opportunity for my first on-air experience. The day was 1st December 2017, the flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was a flight to remember. Take off was at 8:00 AM Nepal time, need to reach the airport at least 2 hours before takeoff.
My Co-Fellow cum friend Anup came to TFN house Jamal by 5:30AM morning to drop me at the airport. Outside was dark and cold, the roads were traffic-free. It took 15 minutes to reach the airport. On traffic, during the daytime, it would have taken 1 hour to reach the airport.

The first time to the international terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport is something I want to remember for my all life. White faces, wheatish brown faces, dark complexion faces all were there. The first task was to withdraw boarding pass from the counter. I was first in line. The counter lady asked for the ticket and asked to put my luggage in the weighing machine. It came to be 11 kg in approx. Then was the immigration department. The officer said, “your first immigration stamp in the passport that also for India”. Yes, it was my first international travel via a flight on the passport. A journey has started.

The Flight was RA205 by Nepal Airlines. The air hostess greeted and welcome the flight aboard. The window seat and one Romanian old couple side by... first were safety instructions and pre-instruction before take off. The engine started, it was 8:15 AM when the flight finally took off. I feel the pull of gravity and its intensity. After a few minutes, view was mesmerizing. There I saw the middle region mountain range. Ganesh Himal, Machhapuchhre Himal, Annapurna Himal, Langtang were few names I remembered which flight captain broadcasted.

The flight route was across western Nepal. Mountains were disappearing as we were approaching Delhi. Meanwhile, I enjoyed breakfast served on board. It took 1 hour 30 mins approx before we land in Delhi. It was 10:00 AM Indian time when the plane landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Then was a clearance, collecting your baggage, and exit.