The power of being nice is incredible and so underrated (just try it and see what happens)!

As usual, I boarded my flight at the last possible moment and this kind young man sitting across the aisle offered to move his things in the overhead around so that my bag would fit. Engaging him in conversation, I learned that he and his wife are on their year-delayed honeymoon to Hawaii. His excitement was palpable, but they were worried how their 4 month old would do on the flights (they didn’t want him to disturb other passengers). Our flight had an issue and was delayed in taking off making connections tight.

As a Diamond Medallion on Delta, I thought I might be met at the gate with the incredible benefit - a personal shuttle to the other terminal. The young couple had 20 minutes to get their carry on while holding the baby, wait for their stroller to be brought to the jetway, enter the terminal, find the shuttle bus gate, wait for the bus and be taken to the other terminal where they would need to find their gate. It was almost (absolutely) certain they would miss their flight.

I asked the wonderful woman meeting me if we could help this young couple get to their flight, explaining it was a tight connection and their honeymoon. She was careful to say we might not make it but we quickly walked down the steps to the tarmac and loaded into the Delta Porsche while this woman tracked down their gate checked items and got help loading everything into the car. She asked their names and flight number and contacted their gate to let them know she would be bringing them directly to the jetway.

We drove to the other terminal and our driver explained what it means to show loyalty in flying “a lot” with Delta and they vowed to fly Delta. We JUST made their flight to Hawaii. The young couple was effusively saying “you saved our trip” and “this is the single kindest thing anyone had ever done for them”.

Delta stepped up and created an amazing experience for a young family who will undoubtedly repay the airline over a lifetime of travel. The experience also reinforced why I have flown 1.7 million miles with Delta and continue to do everything I can to maintain my Diamond status.

Excellent start to the day! #WhyIFlyDelta, #Delta, #WorkLovePlay, #SimpleActsofKindness, #DotheRightThing, #theABDTeam