Daughter pilots air hostess mother's farewell flight, makes her dream come true

Pooja Chinchankar could not hold back her tears. Having served as Air India's crew member for 38 long years, she retired on Tuesday from the service with her final flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru.

Pooja Chinchankar served as Air India's crew member for 38 long years. Photo: Twitter/Ashrrita Chinchankar

NEW DELHI: Pooja Chinchankar served as Air India's crew member for 38 long years. She retired from the service with her final flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru on Tuesday, her last working day. Chinchankar could not hold back her tears as she witnessed her dream getting fulfiled by her daughter, Ashrrita, a pilot with the airline. Passengers cheered as she walked down the isle one last time. An in-flight announcement thanking her for her service was also made. But, what made her farewell memorable was that her send-off in the air was steered by her daughter. It was Pooja's dream to have Ashrita pilot her last flight as an air hostess. Ashrrita, who witnessed her mother's last stint as an air hostess from the flight deck, has been tweeting heartwarming messages about the "one flight that mattered" since yesterday. The tweets went viral on social media as followers showered both the mother and daughter with love and goodwill messages. "Guys, tomorrow I will be flying with my mother on her retirement day, when she gracefully operates her last flight as an Air Hostess with @airindiain after 38 years of service, privileged to be her first officer tomorrow! #proud #grateful #happy," Ashrrita tweeted on Monday.

Guys, tomorrow I will be flying with my mother on her retirement day, when she gracefully operates her last flight as an Air Hostess with @airindiain after 38 years of service ???? privileged to be her first officer tomorrow! #proud #grateful #happy

— Ashrrita (@caramelwings) July 30, 2018

In another tweet, she said, "So happy and honoured to be able to pilot the one flight that mattered." "It was my mom's dream to have me pilot her last flight as an Air Hostess with @airindiain. As she retires after her glorious 38 years of service, I will be carrying on with her legacy," the pilot said.

So happy and honoured to be able to pilot the one flight that mattered. It was my mom’s dream to have me pilot her last flight as an Air Hostess with @airindiain :) As she retires after her glorious 38 years of service, I will be carrying on with her legacy ???? #grateful #proud pic.twitter.com/zcUTNCENzj

— Ashrrita (@caramelwings) July 31, 2018

Ashrrita, who flew the aircraft on the Mumbai-Bengaluru sector, posted a third tweet this evening after an eventful day with a video showing the passengers clapping for Pooja. "For all of you who asked, that's mom on her last flight as an operating cabin crew for @airindiain what a lovely day and what amazing passengers! So many best wishes and hugs of course I was in the flight deck," she said.

For all of you who asked :) that’s mom on her last flight as an operating cabin crew for @airindiain what a lovely day and what amazing passengers! So many best wishes and hugs ♥️ of course I was in the flight deck :) #proud #grateful pic.twitter.com/eUL3Og4EBr

— Ashrrita (@caramelwings) July 31, 2018

An Air India spokesperson said that it was a coincidence that Ashrrita was flying the aircraft which was her mother's farewell flight. "Our heartfelt wishes to your mother and you for this special flight when she passes the baton on to you to have the privilege of serving our passengers with dedication. The legacy lives on," the airline tweeted.

#FlyAI : @caramelwings Our heartfelt wishes to your mother and you for this special flight when she passes the baton on to you to have the privilege of serving our passengers with dedication. The legacy lives on. https://t.co/AxJiFllPbv

— Air India (@airindiain) July 31, 2018

Senior NCP leader Praful Patel tweeted: "Some of the most heart warming and pleasant stories are the ones that happen in real life. Make your mother proud @caramelwings, best wishes to both of you!"

Some of the most heart warming and pleasant stories are the ones that happen in real life. Make your mother proud @caramelwings, best wishes to both of you!@IndianExpress @airindiain #TuesdayThoughts #stories https://t.co/qFVESvDFMf

— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) July 31, 2018

Lots of love to your mom and a special hug for you. Must be a proud moment for both of you. ???? ????

— Arundhati (@discopiggu) July 31, 2018

I am so happy after reading this Ashrrita, it brought such a big smile on my face. I haven't known you much but this tweets makes me so proud of you and I can imagine how happy and proud your mother would have been. More power to you now and always girl. ????

— Aarti Madan (@AartiMadan) July 31, 2018

Strong women raise strong women ???? https://t.co/C5LPPGGOJR

— Kamayani Vyas (@k4ms) July 31, 2018

(With inputs from PTI)