Flying had always been one of those experiences that felt distant, something I had seen in movies or heard people talk about, but never experienced myself. It sounded exciting, almost glamorous, but also a little intimidating. Would it really be as smooth as people claimed? Or was there more to it than they let on?
When the opportunity finally came for me to travel from Lagos to Uyo with Ibom Air , I knew this was my moment to find out. I was excited, yes but beneath that excitement was a layer of nervousness I couldn’t ignore.
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The Journey
The journey, however, didn’t begin at the airport. It began on the roads of Lagos.
Anyone who has spent time in Lagos understands that getting anywhere, especially somewhere important is a journey on its own. As I made my way to the airport, navigating through the heavy traffic, one thought kept replaying in my mind: what if I missed my flight? Every delay felt significant, every slow-moving vehicle ahead of me felt like an obstacle standing between me and my first flying experience.
By the time I finally arrived at the airport, I was already mentally exhausted. But stepping into the airport introduced me to an entirely different kind of chaos.
The crowd was overwhelming. People moved in all directions with a kind of urgency I wasn’t used to. Announcements echoed in the background, bags rolled across the floors, and there was an unspoken pressure to keep moving. I found myself wondering, how does everyone seem to know exactly what to do?
I had to go through multiple checkpoints, each one requiring attention and patience. From checking in to passing security, it felt like a process that demanded both alertness and composure. Was I doing everything correctly? Was I missing an important step? These questions lingered in my mind as I moved from one stage to another.
Eventually, I was cleared and directed to my seat – 7F. At that moment, everything started to feel real.
Sitting there, I paused for a second. This was it. My first flight. The ticket alone had cost ₦186,287 for a one-way trip using Ibom Air flight, and I couldn’t help but ask myself, was this experience truly going to be worth it?
Then came the moment I had both anticipated and feared: takeoff.
As the plane began to move, slowly at first and then with increasing speed, my heart started to race. The tension was undeniable. I gripped my seat, unsure of what to expect. What does it actually feel like to leave the ground for the first time?
In a matter of seconds, the plane lifted.
For a brief moment, everything felt unfamiliar, like my body was trying to adjust to something completely new. But then, gradually, the tension eased. The plane stabilized, and something unexpected happened.
Calm.
Up in the air, everything felt different. The chaos of Lagos, the stress of the journey, the noise, all of it faded away. In its place was a quiet stillness that I hadn’t anticipated. I found myself thinking, reflecting, and simply taking in the experience. Was this why people loved flying? Was this the part no one fully explains?
Time seemed to move differently up there.
I had the opportunity to sit with my thoughts in a way I rarely do. It wasn’t just a journey from one city to another, it felt like a pause, a moment of stillness in the middle of an otherwise busy life.
But as we began our descent into Uyo, the calmness slowly gave way to tension once again.
The plane started to lower, and I could feel the shift. My heart picked up slightly. Would the landing be smooth? Would it feel as intense as takeoff? Even though I had already experienced the hardest part, the uncertainty returned.
Thankfully, the landing was safe. Because beyond the cost, the stress, and the uncertainty, the experience gave me something more valuable, confidence.
Lessons from My First Flight Experience
- * Always leave early, especially when traveling within Lagos.
- * Prepare for both road traffic and airport processes.
- * Stay calm during check-in and security checks.
- * Expect some level of fear during takeoff, it is completely normal.
- * Use the time in the air to relax and reflect.
- * Pay attention during landing, but trust the process.
- * Don’t let fear stop you from trying something new.
Flying for the first time may not be the easiest experience, but it is one that stays with you. And in the end, isn’t that what makes it truly worthwhile?
