This is the heartwarming moment a United Airlines pilot greeted his flight attendant mother as they worked together for the first time in two years.
Cole Doss, 31, congratulated his mom Moya Hagerty Doss during the flight Since Virginia to Madrid on July 25.
In front of all the passengers, Doss read his speech on a tablet as he was applauded by the passengers.
His mother, who was right next to him as he spoke, was visibly choked up and moved by her son’s kind words.
Doss has been with United Airlines as a pilot for two years and his mother, Moya, has been a flight attendant for more than 45 years.
Pilot Cole Doss, 31, made a special announcement after sharing the expected weather conditions and shout out to his mother Moya Hagerty Doss on July 25.
“One of these particular flight attendants working with us today is not only an exceptional flight attendant, but also my exceptional mother.
“Today is the first time in two years at United that we have been able to work together. She has been one of my biggest supporters in life and in my flying career since my very first flying lesson.
Doss has been a pilot for United for two years and took to his Instagram to share the emotional moment on August 8.
Moya, his mother, has worked for the airline for over 45 years.
Doss continued: “I am especially honored and excited to be able to fly it for the first time today and to be able to share this experience with all of you on our flight to Madrid. To my mother, I love you and to everyone on board, welcome aboard our family skies.
The caption that accompanied Doss’ Instagram post also tugged at heartstrings.
“The highlight of my career came when I was able to take a trip with my mother and let her fly for the first time! She was my biggest support in becoming a pilot.
“We had the best trip to Madrid together. I will never forget this experience and everyone who helped make this possible,” Doss said.
United Airlines even commented on the post and said, “A family that flies together stays together!” Thanks Mom!’
Moya said TODAY.com that the announcement of her son really surprised her. ‘I was stunned. It was really, really nice,” she added.
Although it was a pleasant moment, Doss was a little “disconcerted” when he heard his mother helping the passengers.
Besides spending time together during the flight, the mother-son duo made the most of their trip to Spain and explored during their 26-hour layover.
Passengers gave Doss and his mother a standing ovation for the heartfelt speech he gave to her on the flight from Virginia to Spain in July.
Aviation is a family affair, as Doss’s father and sister are also flight attendants, like his mother.
“I only knew my schedule 24 hours before and when I was assigned a flight to Madrid, I told my mother. She had originally booked a flight to Tokyo and was able to rearrange her schedule to work with me. She had never been to Madrid, so she was super excited,” Doss told TODAY.com.
Although it was a pleasant moment, Doss was a little “disconcerted” when he heard his mother helping the passengers.
“During breaks, Cole would hear me and think I was talking to him,” Moya said.
Besides spending time together during the flight, the mother-son duo made the most of their trip to Spain and explored during their 26-hour layover.
The two men stopped at the Palacio Real de Madrid and the Plaza Mayor, two major monuments in the region.
Above all, Doss wanted his mother to receive the recognition he felt he deserved, as he said: “My mother has so many years of dedicated service as a flight attendant and also as a mother.
“These two groups sometimes don’t get the appreciation they deserve.” Doss and Moya are already trying to coordinate their next work trip together in the sky.