A US airline has been praised after the crew did everything they could so a passenger could say goodbye to her dying mum.
Hannah White was travelling home from Dallas, Texas but her flight required a connection in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Due to a technical issue her plane sat at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport for over an hour, meaning she might miss her connecting flight and wasn’t sure if she’d be able to see her mother alive.
She explained the issue to a Delta flight attendant, who told her she would not be able to make her flight and was booked for a new flight the next day. Realising she wouldn’t make it to see her mum, she began to cry and the flight attendant spoke to the pilot who held the next flight so she would make it.
Hannah shared a video on TikTok on December 9, 2024, where she shared the incredible experience and thanked the airline for what they did for her – giving her the gift of time that allowed her to say goodbye to her mum.
Sharing on TikTok and wrote: “My mom was in the hospital for undiagnosed pneumonia, had surgery, and was doing well. Then, I got a call from my brother that her body went into septic shock and family needed to visit her immediately. Doctors did not know what was wrong or how long she had.
“I got on the first flight out the following day from Dallas, with a connection in Minneapolis. We sat on the plane in DFW for over an hour due to mechanical issues. I knew if I didn’t make my connecting flight I wouldn’t see my mom until the following day and we weren’t sure she’d be alive.
“I explained my situation to the flight attendant and asked if there was anything she could do to ensure I make this connecting flight. She came back to my seat and told me l was unfortunately going to miss my flight and they already booked me for the flight the following day.
“As she explained this, I immediately started welling up with tears. She apologized and cried with me. I bawled in my seat, knowing there was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to see my mom one last time.”
But the flight attendant spoke to the pilot and the pilot on the first flight called the pilot on White’s connecting flight, who agreed to hold the plane until she could get there.
The flight crew also upgraded White’s seat to ensure she could depart the plane faster and even made an announcement over the loudspeaker to make sure she was the first person off. After the Minneapolis flight waited for 30 minutes, White was able to get on the plane and make it to her destination in time.
She continued: “My mom passed away the next day. Delta’s kindness gave me 24 extra hours with her. I was able to say ‘I love you’ one last time and provide the comfort for her in her final moments, that she provided for me my whole life,”
Over ten million people have now watched the touching story and many have said how much it moved them. One said: “I know everyone is thanking the crew but I can’t stop thinking of the one flight attendant you told first. Some might have not even gone to ask. So happy she listened and the rest followed.”
Another said: “A reminder in life’s most difficult moments, kindess can light the way.” While another added: “From someone who didn’t make it on time, I’m so glad you did.”
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