Despite recent events (coughcough, American Airlines, coughcough… ICYMI), the skies can be a pretty friendly place thanks to some almost-angelic airline crew members. While there is no excuse for bad behavior, there are some other viral videos out there showing flight crews going out of their way to make your flight memorable for all the right reasons.
So, we’re giving a few shout outs to some of the in-flight crew members who are making your flight (and day) a little bit better. Here are six amazing ways flight crews have gone above and beyond and gave us all the feels at 30,000 feet. These aren’t tears, it’s the cabin pressure.
Baby on board!
Hey ladies, where’s the last place you’d want to be when your water breaks? Sittin’ pretty in 15D six hours into a flight from Taiwan to Los Angeles falls somewhere between abandoned mine shaft and the moon. But a China Airlines flight crew was quick to come to a pregnant woman’s rescue. Flight attendants recently played back-up to a doctor on board, helping to deliver a premature but healthy baby. Talk about an airline with all the frills!
The mid-air matchmaker
What better way to pop the question to your significant other than while soaring through the friendly skies? Nothing says romance like a window seat with a view and a plastic mini-bottle of Pinot Grigio paired with lightly salted peanuts. (You have to respect the confidence of a mid-air proposal. We’re guessing you’re expecting an affirmative answer… after all, there aren’t any quick exits here.) Nonetheless, a successful in-flight engagement can only be pulled off with the help of a willing and romantic flight crew who may have seen “The Notebook” one too many times (we don’t judge!).
Whether you need a quick intro before you hop on the mic…
Some jetBlue A/V support…
Or a little encouragement…
Must love dogs
It’s a flight crew’s job to look out for the well-being of a plane’s passengers… and sometimes that extends to any furry fliers on board, as well. The flight crew of an Air Canada flight from Tel Aviv to Toronto was quick to look out for a French bulldog named Simba traveling in the cargo area when there was a glitch with its heating system. Quick to react, the crew diverted the plane to Germany where Simba was safely boarded onto another flight. No one likes a flight delay, but this pilot got props. After all, a 75-minute delay can’t compete with puppy love. The only thing that could have made this story any better is if the pilot held Simba up “Lion King”-style upon landing.
Words from the Window Seat
American Airlines flight attendant Taylor Tippett wants to make you smile. What started as a self-reflective doodle (“Be kind to yourself”) taped to a plane window has become a movement of self-love, inspiration and paying it forward. If you’re lucky enough, you may find yourself on one of Tippett’s flights with a message waiting for you. If not, her Instagram and hashtag (#wordsfromthewindowseat) are there with a positive message whenever you need one.
Above and beyond
While airlines are often held to tight schedules, sometimes life has different ideas, and it’s how people react in those moments that matter most. In 2013, United Airlines delayed departure of a man’s connecting flight in Houston so he could get to his dying mother before her passing. Similarly, in 2011, Southwest held a flight at the gate so a grandfather could make it to the hospital where his 2-year-old grandson was being removed from life support.
In-flight entertainment
Step aside, seat-back TV. Some in-flight staff are dishing out a little extra entertainment. When you love what you do, that enthusiasm is contagious. And, when you’re a passenger on a long-haul flight, a little enthusiasm can go a long way. Sometimes going above and beyond doesn’t involve plane diversions and Lamaze breathing exercises… but simply a little rhythm. We’re not necessarily saying the flight crew should reenact a choreographed version of the Britney Spears “Toxic” video, but a little dancing in the aisles is always appreciated.
And sometimes it’s as simple as wishing a 10-year-old passenger Happy Birthday with a plane-wide singalong. Hopefully she wished for many more awesome flight attendants like this (or a plane full of better singers for her 11th birthday serenade)!
A few other reasons to love your flight crew:
I bribed the flight attendant on last night’s @Delta flight for extra cookies. It may be the main reason I fly them pic.twitter.com/2uHaZ1QCeN
— Damon Lane (@KOCOdamonlane) October 5, 2015
Our flight attendant just played Georgia On My Mind as we landed in Atlanta and that has surprisingly never happened before. ? — Danielle (@thatvitaminD) October 4, 2015
had the greatest flight attendant. reminded all of us to live life passionately & be good people.
— michaela, obviously (@hellomichaela) October 4, 2015
This flight attendant probably just made me the strongest rum and Coke I’ve ever had in my 21st year. Not all heros wear capes ❤️ — Gianna ☯ (@giannuhh_) October 4, 2015
RT @SexualJonas 😀 yayy! Some miracle just happened & the flight attendent was able to get American Idol on for me. :’) TIM FTW!! 🙂
— Isabelle B-D (@isabellebd) April 14, 2010
Best flight attendent gave me a whole bag of peanuts! pic.twitter.com/UaDM97m8Jf — Christavious Gill (@kingtay_5) December 9, 2013
Main Image: Paul Stocker, Somewhere over Austria via Flickr CC BY 2.0
