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Pilot's sweet announcement leaves passenger in tears

An airline pilot warmed the hearts of passengers on a recent trip to Hawaii after revealing why one guest was making the trip to the holiday islands.

“I would like to add a special welcome to a special guest on today’s flight,” he can be heard telling the cabin in a video that focuses on a woman sitting in the middle seat.

She raises her head as he makes the announcement over the intercom before realising who he is referring to.

“We have a passenger who is headed to Hawaii with us today to celebrate her victory over late stage breast cancer.”

The sweet gesture from a Southwest airline pilot brought Jryl Oldham to tears on her recent trip to Hawaii. Source: Instagram
The sweet gesture from a Southwest airline pilot brought Jryl Oldham to tears on her recent trip to Hawaii. Source: Instagram

The sound of applause and cheering breaks out as the crowd erupts in celebration while the woman in the middle seat is overcome with emotion.

“She fought valiantly and is now cancer free,” the Southwest Airlines pilot continues.

“Please join me in giving her, Jryl Oldham, a round of applause."

As tears fill Ms Oldham’s eyes, passengers cheer and clap again before someone leans through the seats to congratulate her.

“Here in today’s environment it just makes it special that we can share that human bond to take care of each other,” the pilot adds.

“Everybody’s a big family out there.

“Welcome aboard, congratulations.”

Video warms the hearts of millions online

Ms Oldham was travelling with her partner and two other couples to Kaua’i, Hawaii’s fourth largest island, to celebrate her health.

The video, which was posted to Instagram by her friend Valeri Jones, has since been viewed 13.8 million times.

It included the caption: “Thanks Southwest Air for this memory. We will remember it always.”

The airline went on to post its own response, saying “Congratulations Jyrl Oldham, we hope you and yours had such a wonderful time celebrating in Hawaii.”

Ms Oldham travelled to Hawaii with her partner and two other couples to celebrate her victory over late stage breast cancer. Source: Instagram
Ms Oldham travelled to Hawaii with her partner and two other couples to celebrate her victory over late stage breast cancer. Source: Instagram

Instagram users were quick to post their own remarks, praising the airline for its sweet gesture.

“This was the reminder that kindness and caring are still important to some corporations,” one person wrote. “Thank you.”

“The human face of a major airline,” another said. “A big thank you for that.”

“Wow that just absolutely made my day,” someone else wrote. “My heart is full.”

Several users going through breast cancer treatment themselves looked to Ms Oldham as inspiration.

“I just got my stage three diagnosis and I’m starting my journey,” one person explained. “This was so encouraging it brought me to tears. Congratulations pink sister.”

“I am currently battling breast cancer at the moment,” another said. “I pray my journey will be as successful as yours.

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