Passengers on a recent Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta got a major surprise when they learned that their pilot and copilot were actually mother and daughter! A photo showing Captain Wendy Rexon and her first-officer daughter Kelly Rexon sitting in the cockpit has quickly gone viral after it was snapped by John R. Watret, one of the passengers. Passengers on a recent Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta got a major surprise when they learned that their pilot and copilot were actually mother and daughter! “Just flew from LAX to ATL on Delta piloted by this mother daughter flight crew,” Watret captioned the image. “Great Flight. Inspiring for young women.” Just flew from LAX to ATL on Delta piloted by this mother daughter flight crew. Great flight. Inspiring for you women. — John R. Watret
(@ERAUWatret) March 17, 2019 Watret, who happens to be the chancellor of the Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, explained that he was settling into his seat on the flight when he overheard a fellow passenger ask the flight attendant if her two children could meet the pilots. “The flight attendant said they could – and that they would be surprised,” he said. When the children returned to their seats, Watret heard them excitedly talking about the “mother and daughter” flying the plane. “I thought that was amazing. I was in awe,” he said. “I asked if I could visit them, too.” Watret later visited the cockpit himself to talk to Wendy and Kelly. As he talked to them, he learned that Wendy’s husband is a pilot for American Airlines; her father is a retired
pilot; and her other daughter is also a pilot. Watret was very happy about the entire interaction, as he is an advocate for female pilots since only 7% of currently licensed American pilots are women. “There has to be more diversification in the industry,” he said. “It’s crucial and one of the key factors we focus on. When there are more opportunities, everyone wins.” “The first officer had a great role model for becoming a pilot – her mother,” Watret continued. “It’s good for aviation and inspiring for all of us.”
