This summer I boarded numerous flights European destinations. I booked most flights with cheap European airlines, and flight time was never more than a few hours. I remember how excited and nervous I was boarding an intercontinental flight for the first couple of times. However, this time when I booked my flight to India it seemed no different from any other flight.

But soon it hit me that intercontinental flights are a different experience altogether. The difference could be felt at the airport already, where security was stricter, and asked more questions about immigration. But the nicest part of the experience came on board. How could I have forgotten about the food? It was so nice to receive delicious in-flight meals, including a menu-card and drink options. It was also good to have a personal TV screen to watch all movies that had been on my wish. I wonder if introducing these facilities on cheap European flights would increase ticket prices too much.

The best feeling was when I found the flight for Kolkata that was waiting for me to board. Many people in line were from this part of India, and they were speaking my mother tongue, Bengali. It was even more wonderful to see all the foreign tourists boarding the same plane, anticipating and excited to travel beautiful India. Suddenly I felt extremely proud of my country and I looked forward to seeing my ‘City of Joy’ and my family once again.