THERE are few things that can make being on a delayed flight better.
But passengers who were delayed at Tulsa International Airport on Monday were happy to praise a pilot who bought everyone on board a burger to help improve their day.
The captain on a Mesa Airlines flight, operated by United Express, did his best to put wind back in his passengers’ sails after a delay of more than two hours by buying lunch for each flyer at Fat Guy’s Burger Bar in Tulsa, USA Today reports.
A passenger on the flight, Sam Walker, praised the pilot — identified by the Houston Chronicle as Capt. Matthew Hoshor — in a tweet that has since gone viral.
Reps from United Airlines later responded directly to Walker’s tweet, saying they were “glad to hear” crew members met their needs.
United Airlines replied: “We’ll pass along your praise to our teams.”
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Nearly five hours after the scheduled departure time, Walker said, the flight to Houston finally went “wheels up” as he sat in first class. Walker confirmed in subsequent tweets that the captain personally picked up the tab.
Walker tweeted: “Awesome captain Mesa has here!”
In a statement to USA Today, a spokesman for Mesa Airlines said the carrier takes “great pride” in its team and appreciates positive feedback from customers.
United Airlines, which operates United Express as a regional carrier, confirmed on Wednesday that the passenger’s tweet was accurate.
In all, Captain Hoshor bought 70 hamburgers from the restaurant to feed the hungry passengers, a move that won’t go unnoticed, according to the airline’s chairman and chief executive.
Mesa Airlines’ Jonathan Ornstein told the Houston Chronicle: “He’s a really good guy. “We’re very proud of him. That he went out of his way like that to take care of the passengers … it really was outstanding customer services, way above and beyond.”
Mr Ornstein said Hoshor is also a talented pilot, adding: “It makes me so proud as CEO of a company.
“To see an employee do that, it just makes me feel great.”
An employee at Fat Guy’s Burger Bar in Tulsa, meanwhile, told KOKI that the large order for the delayed passengers was apparently a first.
Unfortunately passengers aren’t always this lucky.
Earlier this year, Sun Online Travel reported how British Airways passengers were forced to sleep on the floor after their flight was cancelled.
And last year, Wizz Air was reported to be the airline where passengers suffered the worst delays.
This article was originally published by New York Post and was reproduced with permission.
