Pilot gives emotional speech recognising flight-attendant mum on plane
A pilot for United Airlines left people in tears with an emotional speech praising his flight-attendant mum as they worked together for the first time.
Passengers on board the flight from Virginia, US to Madrid, Spain weren't prepared for the pilot's heartfelt words after he began his speech talking about the weather.
After assuring customers they could expect 'very warm' temperatures in Spain, Cole Doss, 31, revealed that passengers weren't only being cared for by an 'exceptional flight attendant' on the journey, but also his 'exceptional' mum, Moya Hagerty Doss.
Advert
The announcement was then met with whoops and cheers from the passengers, who grinned as Cole's speech took a touching turn.
He continued: "Today's the first time in two years at United [that] we're able to work together. She's been one of my biggest supporters in life and career in becoming a pilot ever since my very first flight lesson."
Cole smiled as passengers clapped for his mum, but he quickly made clear that he was 'not done' when his mum approached him to share in the emotional moment.
"I'm especially honoured and excited to be able to fly her for the first time today and to be able to share this experience with all of you on our flight to Madrid.
"To my mum, I love you, and to everyone on board, welcome aboard our family-friendly skies."
Moya grinned and thanked the customers as her son raised her hand in honour, with the speech leaving TikTok viewers in tears after it was shared by United.
"Someone pass us the tissues," the airline wrote as it posted the video, adding in a comment: "this mother-son moment deserves a standing ovation."
Another viewer commented: "currently: crying."
Cole shared even more heartfelt words about his mum as he posted the video of his speech on Instagram, where he described the trip with his mum as a 'highlight' of his career.
"The highlight of my career came to life when I was able to work a trip with my mom and fly her for the first time!," he wrote.
"She’s been my biggest supporter in becoming a pilot. We had the best trip to Madrid together. I’ll never forget this experience and everyone who helped make this possible."
Moya, who has worked at United for more than 45 years, told Today that Cole's announcement took her completely by surprise.
"I was taken aback," she said. "It was really, really sweet."
The pilot said it was 'great' to be able to show his mum everything he'd learned on the job, and he was grateful that she'd been able to rearrange her schedule to join him on the flight after he learned he was flying to Madrid just 24 hours before takeoff.
"My mum has so many years of dedicated service as a flight attendant and also as a mum," he said. "Those two groups sometimes don't receive the appreciation they deserve."
Emily Brown