Exclusive details! Caitlyn Jenner hits Vienna for Life Ball as son Brody weds across the world: ‘Life’s a good thing’

Despite disappointment that she couldn’t attend son Brody’s wedding or celebrate other son Brandon’s birthday, Caitlyn Jenner wrapped up her whirlwind Vienna weekend on a high note.

“Life’s a good thing,” Caitlyn, 68, exclusively told AOL on Sunday as she and close friend Sophia Hutchins, 21, returned to New York after Saturday night’s star-studded Life Ball at Vienna’s palatial City Hall.

The hot-ticket annual gala gathers thousands from across the world to benefit HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment. It was Caitlyn's first trip to both Life Ball and Vienna, and reflecting on the weekend, she told AOL “I did” have a great time at Europe’s largest charity event. Earlier in the week, Jenner’s team had confirmed she’d be unable to attend Brody Jenner’s wedding in Bali due to the commitment.

Caitlyn and Sophia’s weekend began Thursday, May 31 on the official U.S. Life Ball plane, where attendees boarding the Austrian Airlines flight were greeted with red feather boas and champagne. Caitlyn wore a fitted gray top and black heels, and as she and Hutchins settled into their seats (just a few aisles away from Patti LaBelle), Kelly Osbourne hopped onto the intercom to personally introduce the flight staff – including one attendant she affectionately called her “queen bitch,” an eyewitness told AOL.

See Caitlyn Jenner arriving in Austria for Life Ball 2018:

Upon departure, the flight launched into full-on party mode: “Kelly mingled with guests in the economy section from the get-go, but Caitlyn and Sophia waited a few hours before joining the party. Caitlyn was drinking white wine and Sophia had a glass of red,” the eyewitness continued “They were very friendly as they made their way down the aisle, even posing together for someone’s Polaroid photo.”

“Later, they took a look at the developed photo and Sophia didn’t love it, but who really looks their best on a redeye?” the eyewitness added.

After touching down in Vienna, Caitlyn and Sophia hit the buzzy Friday night cocktail party at Le Meridien, where Caitlyn looked lovely in a floral number. But her real standout style moment came on Saturday at Life Ball, as she hit the red carpet in a floor-length red gown and matching lip. Sophia was by her side in white as duo supported Paris Jackson, who received this year's Life+ Award for her work with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

See Caitlyn Jenner and Sophia Hutchins at Life Ball 2018:

Although early reports referred to Sophia as Caitlyn's girlfriend, the two have never confirmed a romantic relationship.

On Sunday, both women had to catch the same plane back to New York, preventing Caitlyn from making it to son Brandon’s birthday celebration just one day after Brody’s wedding.

Newlywed Brody posted an Instagram video of guests singing Happy Birthday to his brother in an Indonesia restaurant. Brody wed Kaitlynn Carter on the island of Nihi Sumba. Brandon and mom Linda Thompson were present, but no additional members of the Kardashian or Jenner families were there.

Although she didn't make it to the wedding, Caitlyn was at her new daughter-in-law’s bridal shower earlier this year: “Went to my first bridal shower, for Brody's fiancé Kaitlynn Carter,” she wrote on Instagram. “I had so much fun! PS so much better than Bachelor parties!”