Kind-hearted pilot hand delivers 40 boxes of Papa John’s pizzas to stranded passengers

Kind-hearted American Airlines pilot delivers 40 boxes of Papa John’s pizzas to his passengers after the plane is rerouted and stranded by a thunderstorm

• American Airlines Pilot Jeff Raines ordered 40 boxes of Papa John’s pizza for his disgruntled passengers after he had to divert the flight due to severe weather
• Raines was flying Flight 2354 from Los Angeles to Dallas-Fort Worth Thursday
• He was forced to divert to Wichita Falls Municipal Airport where passengers had to wait until the following morning for the next flight
• To ease their minds he ordered fresh pizza and hand-delivered it to them
• Speaking on his good deed Raines said: ‘Thanks for the compliments however this was a “TEAM” effort’ 

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 22:24 BST, 7 September 2018 | Updated: 22:26 BST, 7 September 2018

An American Airlines Captain went above and beyond duty when the flight he was piloting was diverted and to ease his disgruntled passengers he bought and delivered 40 boxes of pizza to them.

Captain Jeff Raines was concerned for the passengers on Flight 2354 traveling from Los Angeles to Dallas-Fort Worth when the aircraft was diverted due to severe thunderstorms. 

The aircraft last-minute landed at the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport on Thursday and quick-thinking Raines decided to order 40 boxes of Papa John’s pizza for his 159 frustrated passengers and his kind deed was all caught on camera.

American Airlines Pilot Jeff Raines ordered and hand-delivered 40 boxes of Papa John’s pizza for his disgruntled passengers after he had to divert the flight due to severe weather Thursday

Come and get it! The kind-hearted pilot knew his passengers would have to stay in Wichita Falls the following morning so he ordered them pizza for a hot and tasty meal 

The video sees Raines running to a fro from a Papa John’s delivery car, handing out pizza boxes to passengers standing on the tarmac. 

The gesture warmed the hearts of the passengers who were told they would have had to stake out in Wichita Falls until the following morning.

In the video people are heard saying ‘what a guy, what a guy.’ 

The passengers are seen smiling and happily munching on their hot meal.  

The video was shared by airport employee Josh Raines who posted in on Twitter writing: ‘I don’t think I’ve seen this before.’ 

‘All of us are always proud of our crew members who take great care of our customers who fly on American Airlines. We are fortunate that our crew members are the best in the business,’ an American Airlines spokesperson said to Dailymail.com. 

Pizza Pilot! Raines, left, pictured handing out boxes to hungry passengers at Wichita Falls Municipal Airport in Texas 

Good deed: Raines walked around making sure each passenger received a slice of pizza

‘Flight 2354 from Los Angeles to Dallas/Fort Worth yesterday diverted to Wichita Falls due to severe thunderstorms that impacted northern Texas. The flight remained overnight in Wichita Falls, and re-departed for Dallas/Fort Worth this morning,’ they added. 

Raines has worked for American Airlines for 27 years and the airline applauded his loyalty to customers saying: ‘We are fortunate that our crew members are the best in the business.’ 

Speaking to KTLA, Raines said: ‘Thanks for the compliments however this was a “TEAM” effort.’ 

‘My First Officer was on the telephone with crew tracking / hotel desk arranging for our release and hotels for the entire crew. The Flight Attendants manned a galley cart from the aircraft serving waters, juice, and sodas to all the passengers in the terminal. All while the Envoy SPS Personnel were arranging for a bus, re-booking flights, and answering a flurry of questions from these passengers. Thanks to everyone for your help – there is no “I” in “TEAM,”‘ he added.     

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