United Airlines pilot gives his flight attendant mom a shout-out on flight to Madrid

• Cole Doss, 31, praised his flight attendant mom on a United Airlines flight in July
• His mother Moya has been an employee with the airline for a staggering 45 years
• The mother-son duo hasn’t worked together in two years on the same flight

This is the heartwarming moment a United Airlines pilot gave his flight attendant mother a shout-out as they worked together for the first time in two years.

Cole Doss, 31, praised mom Moya Hagerty Doss during the flight from Virginia to Madrid on July 25.

In front of all of the passengers, Doss read his speech from a tablet as he was applauded by passengers.

His mother, who was right next to him as he spoke, visibly got choked up and emotional from her son’s kind words.

‘One of these flight attendants in particular working with us today is not only an exceptional flight attendant but also my exceptional mom.

‘Today is the first time in two years at United we’re able to work together. She’s been one of my biggest supporters in life and my career in becoming a pilot ever since my very first flight lesson.’ 

Doss has been a pilot for United for two years and took to his Instagram to share the emotional moment on August 8. 

Moya, his mother, has been employed for the airline for more than 45 years. 

Doss continued: ‘I’m especially honored and excited to be able to fly her for the first time today and to be able to share this experience with all of you on our flight to Madrid. To my mom, I love you and to everyone on board, welcome aboard our family-friendly skies.’

The caption that accompanied Doss’s Instagram post tugged at the heartstrings as well.

‘The highlight of my career came to life when I was able to work a trip with my mom and fly her for the first time! She’s been my biggest supporter in becoming a pilot.

‘We had the best trip to Madrid together. I’ll never forget this experience and everyone who helped make this possible,’ said Doss. 

United Airlines even commented on the post and said: ‘Family that flies together stays together! Thanks mom!’ 

Moya told TODAY.com that her son’s announcement truly surprised her. ‘I was taken aback. It was really, really sweet,’ she added. 

Aviation has run in the family, as Doss’s father and sister are also flight attendants like his mother. 

‘I don’t know my schedule until about 24 hours prior and when I was assigned a flight to Madrid, I told my mom. She was originally booked on a flight to Tokyo and was able to rearrange her schedule to work with me. She had never been to Madrid, so she was super excited,’ Doss told TODAY.com.

Although it was a sweet moment, Doss was a bit ‘thrown off’ as he heard his mom assist passengers. 

‘While on break, Cole would hear me and think I was talking to him,’ said Moya. 

Besides spending time together on the flight, the mother-son duo made the most of their trip to Spain and explored during their 26-hour layover. 

The two made stops at the El Palacio Real de Madrid and The Plaza Mayor, two major landmarks in the area. 

Above all, Doss wanted his mother to receive the recognition that he thought she deserved as he said: ‘My mom has so many years of dedicated service as a flight attendant and also as a mom.

‘Those two groups sometimes don’t receive the appreciation they deserve.’ Doss and Moya are already trying to coordinate their next work trip together in the sky.