After an American Eagle flight headed to Charlotte was forced to divert due to bad weather, the captain made everyone’s day by arranging a pizza party onboard. Pizza diplomacy always works!
American Airlines Pizza Party
American flight 4798, an ERJ-175 operated by Republic Airways, took off from Key West, Florida (EYW) bound for Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT). The flight was delayed due to severe thunderstorms in Charlotte, but finally took off. Thunderstorms, however, continued in Charlotte, forcing the flight to divert to Charleston, South Carolina (CHS).
While on the ground in Charleston (about 90 minutes), the captain decided to order pizza…for the entire plane. Six hours after scheduled takeoff, the flight made it to Charlotte. But instead of being angry, passengers were smiling.
Delays stink. But good customer service and thinking outside the box can overcome even the most aggravating delays. Here, a simple gesture of ordering pizza quickly diffused anger. Airline passengers are hardly unique: pizza is a wonderful diversion to a diversion. A good pizza makes (almost all of) us happy.
CONCLUSION
An American Airlines spokesperson noted:
“We’re incredibly proud of the American Airlines team and our regional partners — including Republic’s crew members — who take great care of our customers every day. Rain or shine, our team consistently proves they’re the best in the business.”
Well, I don’t know about that, but kudos to the captain. What a great and classy gesture (reminds me of Captain Denny).
Have you ever encountered a delay in which the captain has ordered pizza or had other food delivered to the aircraft?
(H/T: View From The Wing // image: Facebook)
It doesn’t take much does it. Good for him classy and thoughtful gesture.
It’s funny people noticing this lately like it’s a new thing. I have had two flights over the past 10 years that the Captain has done this while diverted and waiting for weather to clear at the destination. Both were on Delta though.
The captain is getting reimbursed for his pizza, right?
> The flight was delayed due to severe thunderstorms in Charlotte, but finally took off. Thunderstorms, however, continued in Charlotte, forcing the flight to divert to Charleston, South Carolina (CHS).
> While on the ground in Charlotte (about 90 minutes), the captain decided to order pizza…for the entire plane. Six hours after scheduled takeoff, the flight made it to Charlotte.
You mean while being grounded on Charleston
Thanks John.
Very classy move. I’m waiting for Sara Nelson, flight attendants union boss to file a grievance because there was food service on the plane. This guy should have a job in corporate, replace Dug and his staff of losers.
I’ve never had the captain order pizza for the plane, but a couple decades ago, during a long ground delay, a passenger ordered 100 burrito supremes from Taco Bell for the plane. No jokes about Taco Bell…it was a really generous gesture and much appreciated.
I had this happen in JLN once during a delay. Pizza really is a great equalizer.