Witnesses say his voice was “kind and soothing” as he spent the entire flight easing her fear of flying.
A Fearful Flyer Faced Her Worst Anxiety Mid-Flight
Not everyone enjoys flying, but for some, it’s a full-blown fear. Aerophobia, an intense fear of flying, affects an estimated 25 million Americans, according to the Cleveland Clinic. For one unidentified woman on a Delta flight from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to JFK, that fear was overwhelming.
Before the plane even left the runway, the passenger’s nerves were visible.
She was shaking, reacting to every sound, and trying desperately to keep it together.
Sitting behind her was Molly Simonson Lee, who watched as a Delta flight attendant, Floyd Dean-Shannon, completely transformed the situation with compassion.
A Flight Attendant Noticed, And Responded With Extraordinary Care
Lee shared the encounter on Facebook, explaining that the woman was “very nervous” even before takeoff.
“She was visibly shaken by each sound,” Told Lee.
Instead of dismissing her fear, Dean-Shannon crouched down, gave her his full attention, and began calmly explaining every noise the aircraft made.
“He took notice and began explaining what each [sound] was, with the warmest, calmest tone,” Lee recalled.
But the kindness didn’t stop there.
He Sat on the Floor and Held Her Hand the Entire Flight
Halfway through the trip, the woman began fighting back tears. That’s when Dean-Shannon did something few passengers ever witness from a flight attendant.
He sat down on the cabin floor beside her seat and held her hand through the remainder of the flight.
“His tone was so kind and soothing,” Lee wrote.
He didn’t rush. He didn’t brush off her fear. He stayed right there, providing comfort for as long as she needed it.
More Kindness: A Birthday Song and a Makeshift Cake
It turned out that Dean-Shannon’s compassion extended to everyone around him.
Lee shared that another woman nearby was celebrating her birthday.
The flight attendant sang to her, gathered whatever treats he could find, and crafted a makeshift “cake” out of snacks.
His joy and energy lit up the cabin.
The Internet Agreed: He Deserves a Raise
Once Lee shared the story online, commenters flooded the post with praise.
Miranda Anderson tagged Delta Airlines and wrote:
“I hope you see this! These are the types of people that deserve raises and make your company worth flying with.”
Another commenter, Liz Martin, said:
“The way he’s looking at her… letting her know she’s safe!!! This is just one of the many reasons I will always fly Delta Air Lines.”
One traveler, Mary Beth Acker Ford, even chimed in with her own experience:
“I was on a flight with him today. He exudes joy and is intentional about making a connection with each person!”
A GoFundMe, an Outpouring of Love, and a Larger Message
Lee later started a GoFundMe to honor the attendant’s above-and-beyond kindness. While the fundraiser didn’t reach its full goal, the emotional support was overwhelming.
“I love this. This is what society is lacking. Empathy and kindness towards people in time[s] of need,” wrote Diane Lawrence.
Flying is stressful for countless reasons, from rushing through airports to navigating missed connections. But compassionate flight attendants like Dean-Shannon remind people that genuine kindness still exists in the chaos of travel.
Lee summed it up perfectly:
“It was obvious he is just a good, kind soul who shares that generously with everyone he encounters. Such kindness is rare and a true gift when encountered.”
Featured Image from: Midjourney