Aza had never been on an airplane before. Not even once. She had seen them fly high above her house, leaving white streaks in the blue sky, and every time she’d point and shout, “Look! An airplane!” Her mom would smile and say, “One day, Aza. One day you’ll ride one too.”
Well, that day had come—and she had no idea.
It was a Saturday morning, bright and full of promise. Aza had just finished her cereal when her dad announced, “No need to get dressed today, kiddo. We’ve got a lazy day ahead.” But her mom was acting a little suspicious. She kept sneaking glances at her watch and whispering to Dad in the hallway.
Then—BOOM—it happened.
“Okay, Aza,” Mom said, kneeling down beside her. “We have a surprise for you.”
Aza’s eyes lit up. “A surprise?! Like what? Like a toy? Or pancakes shaped like unicorns?”
“Even better,” Dad grinned. “We’re going on a TRIP!”
Aza blinked. “Like…a walk to the park?”
“Nope,” Mom said, grabbing a backpack. “Like a real trip. Bags packed, snacks ready, and…a plane ticket.”
Aza gasped so loud the cat jumped off the windowsill.
“WE’RE FLYING?!”
Mom nodded. “Today is your very first flight.”
Aza started spinning in circles, giggling, “I’m gonna fly! I’m gonna fly!”
They headed to the airport, Aza bouncing in her car seat the whole way. She kept asking questions—“How do planes stay in the air?” “Will I see the clouds up close?” “Do they serve ice cream on airplanes?”—and her parents did their best to keep up with her excitement.
When they arrived, Aza’s mouth dropped open.
The airport was huge. People everywhere. Suitcases rolling like little robot pets. Giant windows showed planes lined up like sleepy birds waiting to soar.
“Wow,” Aza whispered.
They checked in, went through security (which Aza thought was kind of like a spy movie), and then found their gate. Mom handed her a little paper ticket with her name on it.
“Official flyer,” she said proudly. Aza held it like it was made of gold.
While they waited to board, Dad surprised her with a small notebook and some colored pencils. “You can draw what you see on your trip.”
Aza immediately started sketching. First: a plane with wings as big as her house. Then: stick-figure people with smiley faces rolling suitcases. And finally, a picture of herself—arms out, flying through the sky like a superhero.
“Flight 276 to San Diego now boarding!”
“That’s us!” Mom said.
Aza jumped up. “Let’s gooo!”
Inside the plane, everything was magical. The seats had little tray tables that folded down like tiny desks. The windows were round and gave her a view of the wing stretching far outside. And when she sat down and buckled her seatbelt, she looked at her parents and said with wide eyes, “I feel like a grown-up!”
The flight attendant came by and offered snacks. Aza chose apple juice and pretzels. “This is so fancy!” she whispered.
Then the engines roared.
Aza grabbed her mom’s hand as the plane started moving. Faster and faster until—WHOOSH—they lifted off the ground!
“WE’RE FLYING!” Aza shouted, her face pressed against the window. The world below got smaller and smaller until the houses looked like toy blocks and the cars like ants.
The clouds floated beside them like cotton candy castles. Aza stared in awe.
“This is even better than I imagined,” she said.
The flight lasted two hours, but to Aza, it felt like ten minutes. She drew, played a matching game with Dad, and even got a set of plastic wings from the flight attendant—“Junior Aviator,” it said.
When they landed in San Diego, the warm breeze and palm trees greeted them. But the surprises weren’t over.
“Guess where we’re going now?” Mom asked.
Aza shrugged. “To get ice cream?”
“Even better,” Dad said. “The ZOO!”
Aza screamed with joy.
They spent the whole day at the San Diego Zoo. Aza saw elephants, fed a giraffe, and even got a stuffed lion from the gift shop. She named it Captain Roar and made him “fly” back to the hotel that night.
Lying in bed, Aza held Captain Roar close.
“Today was the best day of my life,” she whispered to Mom, who was tucking her in.
“You were so brave,” Mom said. “I’m proud of you.”
“Next time,” Aza murmured, eyes already drifting closed, “can we fly to the moon?”
Mom chuckled. “We’ll see, sweetheart.”
And with that, Aza fell asleep, dreaming of airplanes, animals, and cloud castles.
Post-Trip Bonus: Aza’s Travel Tips for First-Time Flyers!
At breakfast the next day, Aza decided she wanted to make a list—just in case another kid was flying for the first time. Here’s what she wrote in her notebook:
- Bring snacks. Even though you get some on the plane, your tummy might want extra.
- Window seat is the best. You can see everything!
- Airplanes make your ears feel funny. Chew gum or yawn a lot—Mom’s trick works!
- Ask the flight crew questions. They’re super nice and give you cool things (like plastic wings!).
- Draw pictures of your trip. It helps you remember the magic.
- Don’t be scared. Flying is like riding a giant bird that gives you snacks.
Final Thoughts
Aza’s first flight was more than just a trip—it was the start of something big. A spark of adventure had been lit inside her, and there was no turning back. She wanted to see mountains, oceans, cities, and deserts. To taste new foods and hear new languages. To fly again, and again, and again.
But no matter how many flights she takes in the future, one thing is certain:
She will always remember her very first—the day she soared into the sky, wide-eyed and full of wonder, on a surprise trip she’ll never forget.
