Heartwarming gesture for Qantas' oldest passenger
A 103-year-old passenger has received an emotional welcome onboard her Qantas flight, with the pilot and cabin crew erupting into cheers as she stepped on board.
Ngan Chun Kam aka ‘Mamma’, is believed to be the oldest passenger to ever travel with the Flying Kangaroo airline.
Mamma was born on January 1st 1920, and Qantas was founded 10 months later in November 1920.
After visiting family in Sydney for several weeks, Mamma was returning home to her native Hong Kong when Qantas staff on-board QF127 learned of her age.
“It was such an honour to have Ms Kam on our flight to Hong Kong,” Jayson Eng, Qantas customer service agent who was on the November 3rd flight, told news.com.au.
“We got her trip off to a flying start with a special welcome announcement from the Captain, which was broadcast throughout the entire aircraft.”
Mr Eng said it resulted in a big cheer and a round of applause throughout the cabin.
“Our cabin crew loved taking turns to introduce themselves to Ms Kam. We called her Po Po (grandma in Cantonese) as a sign of respect for her. She was such a delight to have on board.”
Mamma, who has six children aged 72 to 83, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, has been visiting Australia once a year since 1979 to visit her eldest son who lives in Sydney.
According to Mamma’s daughter-in-law Helen, at first she had no idea why the cabin erupted in a loud cheer as she doesn’t speak English.
It wasn’t until a friend who was also on the flight explained it was because she was the eldest passenger they’ve ever flown, and she began to smile.
“Everyone was clapping and cheering and she just felt so special,” Helen told news.com.au.
The airline also gifted Mamma, who was flying in business class, a goodie bag filled with champagne and merch.
“When she got to Hong Kong, she called me saying John (friend on the flight with her) left his bag, thinking it was his,” Helen said.
“I told her it’s what the airline gave her as a gift and she said ‘well I don’t drink champagne’ – I told her ‘well in that case bring it back with you to Australia on your next visit, we’ll have it’,” she laughed.
Image credits: Courtesy of Qantas