Delirious fans, long starved of success on the top European stage, honked car horns and waved giant flags in Milan city centre long into the night after the 1-0 semi-final, second leg defeat at holders Barcelona secured 3-2 aggregrate win.
The 1964 and 1965 winners meet Bayern Munich in the final in Madrid on May 22.
NEWS:Ten-man Inter reach Madrid final
NEWS:Jose - Sweetest defeat of my life
NEWS:Apprentice Jose to face mentor Van Gaal
VIDEO:Watch Mourinho's full-time celebrations
GALLERY:Barca 1-0 Inter
One banner at the airport read "Welcome Back Heroes" after Mourinho had lauded the rearguard action of his 10-man team and said reaching the final was better than winning the trophy in 2004 with Porto.
Defender Ivan Cordoba described the reaction at the airport as "madness" while team mate Maicon was more cautious given the team, chasing an unprecedented treble of Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League, could still end up losing all three.
"We haven't won anything yet," the Brazilian told reporters.
"It is an indescribable emotion, Mourinho is the greatest coach in the world. I've got tears in my eyes," Inter fan Marco told Reuters.
