✈️💍 Bring me some flyer love

Yashraj Chhabra and Riiya Shukla have spent most of their long-distance relationship between airports. 

The couple, with Yashraj based in New Zealand and Riiya in Australia, are used to taking a two-hour flight to see each other. 

So when Yashraj began to brainstorm how he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, there was only one place that fit the bill: New Zealand's Auckland Airport.

The symbolism was strong. Yashraj also chose the airport because of its significance in Bollywood movies, which Riiya loves. 

• “In Bollywood movies, I think eight out of 10 times, the couple would only come together at the airport,” Chhabra told CNN Travel. “The actress is leaving. The actor would run to the airport (to stop her) and they will live happily ever after.”

Yashraj had his mission, and booked Riiya a flight to come on what she believed was just a typical visit to see him – she had no idea he would be on one knee when she arrived. And, to make an even grander gesture, Yashraj wanted his proposal to air over the airport PA system.

After deciding he wanted the airport's PA systems involved, it took about a month for Yashraj to figure out all the proposal's logistics. 

• He messaged any airport employee he could find on LinkedIn to help. Eventually, he got in touch with Laura Platts, the Auckland Airport communications manager, who agreed to help turn his dream into a reality. 

Even the best-laid plans often go awry, however. When the day finally arrived, Yashraj and a group of the couple's family and friends were ready and waiting at the airport for Riiya's arrival. 

But the travel day didn't go as planned. Riiya's first flight was canceled, and the second one was significantly delayed. Then when she finally landed in Auckland, she realized her luggage was missing (been there!).

• Despite the hassles, and with the coaxing of some friends and family, Riiya eventually made her way to the arrivals room, where she found Yashraj on one knee with his proposal playing over the loudspeaker.

💍 The Bollywood ending: Her answer was a resounding "yes!" (of course), complete with applause from people all around the airport. 

• “I tend to get lost in his eyes, and, as romantic as this sounds," said Riiya, "it’s actually true. I do. For a while, it just felt like it was just us. Then, all of our family and friends came and they all hugged us. It was pretty magical.”