Airplane Angel Comforts 96-Year-Old Woman on Flight

There’s more than enough of the ugly stuff to go around. That’s why, when we see something like this story shared by Megan Ashley, it’s worth making viral! There’s nothing I love more than seeing kindness unfold in our little world of aviation! I know that true of you all too.

Megan was flying SWA from San Diego to Nashville on July 29th when she witnessed a beautiful, selfless act of kindness between a 96-year-old woman and the young gentleman, a complete stranger, sitting next to her. It is such a sweet moment that I wanted to share it with all of you. You may want to get a tissue, just saying!

In her words and with her express permission to share:

“On my flight from San Diego to Nashville today, sitting in the row next to me was a 96 year old woman who hasn’t flown in 15 years. For her birthday she wanted to go to Kansas City to see her family but she was scared of flying.

She asked for this man’s hand during takeoff and then hugged him again when experiencing turbulence. This gentleman I should say, gladly took her hand, let her hold onto him, calmed her by talking to her and explaining everything that was happening, and simply was that stranger there for her. He knew just what to do the entire flight to help. He helped her stand up to go to the restroom and watched her carefully walk down the aisle.

It made me smile the whole flight as he comforted her. This man was her flight angel. He held her bag, helped her get off the plane and into the wheelchair, and when she got confused wondering where her daughter went (she called her her sister), he stayed with her until she caught up with her daughter who got [only momentarily] separated from her.

“I walked away sobbing happy tears being so thankful for people like this wonderful human. She was so grateful that she wanted him to have her flight pretzels. Hats off to you sir, for your kind heart and your compassion toward someone whom you’ve never met. I have never been so touched on a flight before. This truly made my week. 

I told him that I would hope someone would treat my Nana the way he was treating her if she was in the same circumstance. I hope this made others feel even a morsel of how I felt experiencing this, and I hope that this humble man doesn’t mind that I put it on my Facebook.”

Ashley went on to explain a couple of days later after her story was shared many times:

“My intention was to share a story and spread love, but I had no thought of this spreading this far or even past my immediate friends and family.

“I feel like we all know our 96 year old airplane friend after her flight story was shared so many times so rapidly. I only wish I knew her name. (I think she said her daughter’s name is Denise). I can’t help but think of her today especially because today [August 2nd] is her ACTUAL birthday and she is getting to spend it with her family in Kansas City. Her flight angel told me it was her birthday when I asked her occasion for traveling, so when I wished her a happy birthday on the plane she said, “Good Guess! My birthday is August 2″ Well… Happy 96th Birthday, Sweet Lady! I hope this birthday is ever so special. You have no idea just how many thousands of people have been thinking about you this week!”

Thank you for sharing this story, Megan. It’s just plane awesome! It’s about time we made kindness viral. From all of us here at The Pilot Wife Life, happy birthday to this sweet woman. We hope it was everything she dreamed it would be…and more.

And to her sweet airplane angel, props! Though we don’t know your name, we have all seen a glimpse of your beautiful and compassionate heart. Your one humble action has and will touch so many as they go about their travels this week. Thank you for shining a light in the darkness for all to see.

Family, may we all be moved to take a moment to pay forward the love and invest in random acts of kindness in the days and weeks to come. Let’s make the world a better place one act of kindness at a time.

Blue skies and tailwinds,

Angelia (a fellow Pilot Wife)

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