A pilot for United Airlines recently delivered an emotional speech that left passengers on his flight from Virginia, US, to Madrid, Spain, in tears. What made this speech so special? Well, it turns out that the exceptional flight attendant taking care of the passengers was none other than the pilot’s own mother, Moya Hagerty Doss.
In a heartfelt moment, the pilot, Cole Doss, 31, expressed his gratitude towards his mom and introduced her to the passengers. The announcement was met with cheers and whoops from the delighted passengers, who were moved by the touching gesture.
As the applause subsided, Cole continued his speech, filled with genuine emotion. “Today is 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 my career, ever since my very first flight lesson,” he shared.
The heartfelt tribute didn’t end there. As Moya approached her son, he made it clear that he had more to say. “I’m especially honored and excited to be able to fly with my mom for the first time today and to share this experience with all of you on our flight to Madrid,” Cole added. “To my mom, I love you, and to everyone on board, welcome aboard our family-friendly skies.”
The passengers couldn’t help but be moved by the special bond between the pilot and his mom. United Airlines shared the video on TikTok, and viewers were left in tears. “Someone pass us the tissues,” the airline wrote, recognizing the emotional impact of the mother-son moment.
Cole also shared the video on his Instagram, describing the trip with his mom as a career highlight. “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! She’s been my biggest supporter in becoming a pilot,” he wrote. “We had the best trip to Madrid together. I’ll never forget this experience and everyone who helped make this possible.”
Moya, who has dedicated over 45 years to working at United, was taken by surprise by her son’s announcement. “I was taken aback,” she said. “It was really, really sweet.”
The pilot expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to show his mom everything he had learned on the job. He was also grateful that she was able to rearrange her schedule to join him on the flight, having only found out about the trip to Madrid 24 hours before takeoff. “My mom has so many years of dedicated service as a flight attendant and also as a mom,” Cole explained. “Those two groups sometimes don’t receive the appreciation they deserve.”
The heartwarming tribute from a son to his flight-attendant mom not only touched the passengers on the flight but also reached viewers on social media platforms. It serves as a reminder to appreciate the people in our lives who support us and soar alongside us, both literally and metaphorically.
