“W e take more customers home than any other location in the country,” said Denny Flanagan — who is a veteran pilot and was a captain at United Airlines — in a short video documenting his final flight on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 as a pilot for the airline. “The best location in the nation is flying home.”
Short Video: The Final Flight Piloted by Denny Flanagan
Passengers who were fortunate to fly aboard the airplane which operated as United Airlines flight 670 from Seattle to Chicago were treated to everything from a water cannon salute to a visit by Oscar Munoz — who is the current chief executive officer of United Airlines — who said “That truly represents the spirit of the new United — Captain Denny Flanagan” as he walked off of the airplane with him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5zLuvnICFQ
If you look carefully, you will see FlyerTalk member Pat89339 — who appears more than once in the video — as well as other members of FlyerTalk amongst the attendees and passengers. You will find comments by them — as well as more photographs and videos of this special celebration — by clicking here.
I would have liked to have attended that special flight; but it was not possible for me to do so.
Summary
Despite his valiant efforts, you can tell that the beloved captain — who celebrated birthday number 65 on Sunday, June 5, 2016 — was emotional knowing that he was stepping into his “sky office” one final time as a captain after serving in the navy of the United States for 20 years and as a commercial airline pilot for United Airlines for 30 years.
Fortunately, he has not retired from his role as contributor to the column Ask the Captain at InsideFlyer; so keep an eye out for articles written by him — and I have a feeling that we have not heard the last of Denny Flanagan.
May you enjoy your retirement to its fullest in the best of health, my friend — and may your legacy of exemplary leadership and superior customer service live on to help the world become an even better place in which to live and do business.
Source: United Airlines.
