Gatwick airline pilot flies baby granddaughter on her very first flight
An airline pilot gave an extra special welcome to a VIP passenger on board a Gatwick flight last week – his three-month-old baby granddaughter.
It was the very first flight for baby Maeve and proved all the more remarkable with her grandad flying the plane on a journey from London Gatwick to Dalalman.
TUI Captain Robert Yallop said: "Flying has always been a part of my life, and being able to take my granddaughter on her very first flight was a moment I’ll cherish forever.”
Captain Yallop’s son Harry also works at TUI as a First Officer on the 787 and his partner Jess is TUI cabin crew. The couple met and fell in love while working at the airline.
“I have been able to fly with my son Harry several times but having my son and future daughter-in-law on board made it all the more meaningful,” said Captain Yallop. “It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do.”
The reunion at 41,000 feet saw three generations of family and aviators come together. Harry, who lives with Jess and Maeve near Horsham, said: “Whilst we all work for TUI and I have flown with my dad and Jess on separate occasions, we’ve never actually had the opportunity to all be on a plane together.
"With Maeve in tow for her very first flight, it made it extra special. I’m really looking forward to telling her one day that her grandad was the captain on her first flight. And I’m very thankful his landing was smooth enough for her to remain asleep!” said Harry.
“She absolutely loved being in the cockpit with her grandad, it was clear that aviation really does run in the family.”
Maeve’s mum Jess, who is currently on maternity leave, said the flight was a special memory for the family and something to look back on in years to come.