Check out this heartwarming video of a small-town Indiana woman experiencing her first international flight—it’s gone viral!
Samantha Angelie shared a video capturing her infectious excitement on her inaugural long-haul journey.
For more details, view the video on TikTok. This clip has been viewed over 2,000,000 times. In the video, she exclaims, “I just boarded my very first international flight. The plane looks huge. I thought they were just in movies.”
Flying from Tampa to Zürich, Samantha marveled at the rows of seats, complimentary amenities like blankets and headphones, and the abundant supply of food, describing the experience as “wild.”
The video garnered a wave of positive responses from viewers. Bella33 expressed, “I enjoyed watching your happiness and excitement! It’s wonderful that you can experience it! I hope you enjoy your stay in Switzerland.” Another viewer, Yosh Monsta, commented, “This is just too cute.” As someone who travels frequently for both work and leisure, this video made me appreciate travel even more.
“What a lovely human being, grateful and appreciative—so refreshing—I hope you have a wonderful time,” mrs_p3 chimed in.
Seemingly overnight, Samantha’s passport arrived from her brother in Florida, and soon they were on a plane from Tampa to Zürich.
Reflecting on her experience, Samantha shared, “I was amazed when I stepped into the aircraft. It felt like the kind of plane you see in movies. On domestic flights, I saw planes with six seats per row and an aisle. The similarity of planes from front to back always left me wondering about first class. When I looked down the aisle on my flight to Switzerland and saw the rows of seats, I questioned how such a large plane could even take off.”
Although seasoned travelers might find Samantha’s amazement surprising, a study by the Pew Research Center revealed that about 71 million Americans, or 27 percent of the population, have never ventured outside the country.
Thrilled by the unexpected viral response to her video, Samantha exclaimed, “I never anticipated such a wide audience for my video.”
Most reactions to her video were positive, which Samantha deeply appreciated. She mused, “When something becomes routine or familiar, it’s easy to take it for granted. I’m glad that my excitement resonated with others and served as a reminder of how incredible flying can be. Not everyone has the chance to travel abroad, so I’m thankful for the lessons I’ve learned about appreciating life’s small joys with a positive outlook.”