Southwest Airlines Pilot Just Made His Employer Proud And In The Process Boosts The Industry’s Image

Kindness and appreciation know no bounds. It may be shown even in the skies. This was proven true when a Southwest Airlines pilot showered gifts to his millionth passenger. The act was like a balm that soothed the airline industry's tainted image in view of some customer complaints addressed to certain airline companies.

Captain John Richie addressed his passengers on the intercom and made a heartwarming announcement. The good-hearted pilot said that he has been transporting passengers for the past 22 years and that aboard the flight was his millionth passenger as per Daily Mail. He also said that since he got employed with Southwest Airlines, he has been keeping a record of his passengers and on that day, he was flying his special passenger. The flight was from Denver to Pittsburgh.

The announcement was followed by applause in the cabin for Richie. He informed that to honor the lucky passenger, he will be giving her a bottle of champagne and a signed boarding card from him. He also enquired for the cost of her ticket and refunded the amount in cash from his own pocket. The passenger named Mariam was elated to know that she was the one and thanked the kind pilot.

The video of which has gone viral on Reddit which was shared by stewardess Jennifer Todd. She also expressed pride and humility working with Captain Richie. Todd also said that Richie is the epitome of their airline company's culture of being a LUVing airline. LUV is the airline's stock symbol.

The Internet rejoiced for the good deed as opposed to United Airlines that violently removed a passenger from a flight due to overbooking. Travel Pulse reported that the video was viewed more than 2 million times and shared more than 22,000 times.

Southwest Airlines received thousands of praises from netizens. It is a certainty that customers will patronize this airline more after a major airline left disheartened customers for maltreatment.

Southwest Airlines just knows how to make its passengers feel good. One of its pilots serenaded his passengers on board a flight. Another one inspired a 5-year-old boy who was waving at a taxiing plane and the pilot waved back at him. The company had the boy and the pilot meet personally.