Southwest Airlines recently commemorated an act of kindness from some of its staff members. This act was undertaken when a passenger traveling from California's Long Beach Airport (LGB) accidentally misplaced their cell phone. Luckily for that passenger, their cell phone was discovered, identified by airport personnel, and rushed to the airplane, which was already pushing back. Let's find out what happened.

Going the extra mile

On November 13th, Southwest Airlines posted a video of several baggage handlers delivering a cell phone to a pilot through the cockpit window. The cell phone belonged to a passenger aboard the aircraft who had lost it. Miraculously, airport staff discovered the phone and had it rushed to the plane. Unfortunately, the Boeing 737 had already been pushed back from the gate.

However, this did not stop the Southwest ground team from doing everything they could to ensure the passenger's property was returned to them. The pilots were informed of the dilemma and agreed to receive the phone through the cockpit window. One pilot caught the phone tossed up by ground personnel, and the phone was delivered to the respective passenger aboard the aircraft. This simple act of kindness aligns with Southwest's commitment to do everything they can to ensure passengers have the best experience possible.

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Acts of kindness

In August, another Southwest Airlines passenger experienced an act of kindness from the airline's ground crew members. A young traveler flying from Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to San Jose International Airport (SJC) checked a model dinosaur as a part of their luggage. The Southwest Ground team took extra special care of the precious cargo.

When dropped off at the baggage counter, the passenger was informed that the model T. Rex would be well cared for. From there, it received exceptional handling as ground personnel took extra care to load it separately from the other baggage. They even went so far as to take pictures with the dino and set it out on the apron for photos.

Returning to the gate

This recently shared incident where a passenger's phone was delivered to them after the plane had been pushed back is very uncommon. Generally, once an aircraft pushes back from the gate, there is no going back. However, the pilots and airline staff made an exception in this situation. The airplane had only just started its pushback when the crew was informed of the dilemma. However, an even more astounding story aboard another 737 occurred thousands of miles away only a few months ago.

At the end of the summer, a TUI Boeing 737 had taxied out to the runway and was preparing for takeoff when the pilot decided to return to the gate at Tenerife Norte Airport (TFN) to pick up forgotten passengers. The passengers picked up were a father and daughter whose family members were aboard the aircraft. The daughter had temporarily misplaced her passport, prompting the father to stay behind with her as the rest of the family went on. Luckily the passport was found. The pilot was then notified and made the kind and unheard-of decision to return to the gate to pick up the additional passengers.

What do you think of this cell phone being delivered to a passenger after the plane had pushed back from the gate? Let us know in the comments below.

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  Southwest Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  WN/SWA

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Dallas Love Field, Denver International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Midway International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1967

  CEO:

  Robert Jordan

  Country:

  United States