- Jeff Fell took his last passengers ever from Charlotte to Chicago
- The plane erupted in applause as he addressed his wife and family in a speech
An American Airlines pilot drew a huge ovation with an emotional farewell speech on the final flight of his 32-year career for the company.
Jeff Fell’s words were recorded by one of the passengers as they prepared to depart in Charlotte, North Carolina, as he gave his pre-flight instructions in front of travelers rather than over the loudspeakers.
After greeting passengers on board, he announced that he was retiring and that this would be his last trip as a pilot, and began to choke as he turned to his family sitting at the back of the plane.
“If I get a little emotional, please forgive me,” he said. “Normally I don’t get up in front of everyone else, I just stay in the cockpit and talk over the loudspeaker system.”
“Before we leave for Chicago tonight, I want to take a moment and thank a group of very important people to me on board the flight – most of whom are sitting in the back of the plane – and they are most of my family , who accompanied me on my retirement flight.”
American Airlines pilot Jeff Fell (pictured) drew a huge ovation with an emotional farewell speech on the final flight of his 32-year career
Fell’s words were overheard by one of the passengers as they prepared to depart Charlotte, North Carolina
Fell struggled not to cry as he spoke to his wife and family aboard the plane
The pensioner received applause when he revealed why his family accompanied him on the flight.
“You are accompanying me on my retirement flight after 32 years with American,” he read from a prepared speech.
“Thank you all for coming with me tonight and celebrating this memorable time in my life. ‘I love you all.’
The passengers burst into more applause before Fell interrupted and added: “I didn’t mean to get emotional, but my goodness.”
Finally, he praised his wife as a “solid rock in the foundation of our life and marriage.”
Fell finished: “I love you and look forward to the next chapter in our lives.” And everyone is welcome on board.’
The speech was filmed by one of the passengers and uploaded to TikTok, reaching more than three million views.
Over half a million of those viewers liked the post and thousands commented with supportive messages.
One said: “I was on the flight!” “I hugged him after that announcement.”
Another wrote: “Also 32 years of safe landings. God bless him and all pilots.”
A later post from the same passenger revealed that Fell was honored with a water cannon salute upon landing at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
This tradition marks the retirement of a senior pilot and other notable events and involves two airport fire engines firing water over a passing aircraft.
Justin Harrison, who posted the clips, said he felt “privileged to have been there.”