American Airlines pilot’s emotional farewell speech moves the internet to tears – as he pays tribute to his wife and family on the last flight of his 32-year career

A pilot’s emotional two-minute speech on his last flight before retirement moved airline passengers to tears.

In a TikTok video, Jeff Fell can be seen walking down the aisle to speak to his passengers one last time before departure.

“First of all, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. “Welcome aboard American Flight 2561 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport,” he began in the clip recorded by Justin Harrison, before introducing himself and giving the expected flight duration and weather conditions.

“I don’t usually plead like that for everyone.” Most of the time I just stay in the cab and talk over the speaker system.

The pilot flew for American Airlines for 32 years

The TikTok creator also captured the moment the plane sped off by doing a “water salute” – traditionally in honor of a retired pilot

The second video showed the view from the passenger window as the exterior of the plane was doused with water from the “water salute”.

As it sped beneath the arc of water, the plane appeared to be heading for an idyllic sunset

“And if I get a little emotional, please forgive me,” he continued, adding, “I want to take a moment before we leave for Chicago tonight.”

He then said he wanted to “acknowledge a group of very important people to me who are on the flight. Most of them are in the back of the plane and they are the majority of my family who accompanied me on my retirement flight.”

“You are accompanying me on my retirement flight after 32 years with American,” he continued, his voice cracking.

“Thank you all for joining me tonight and celebrating this important moment in my life. I love you all. And I didn’t want to get emotional, but my goodness.”

Jeff then publicly thanked his wife Julie, saying she had been “by my side for most of my 32 years at American: she was the rock, the solid rock in our foundation in our life and our marriage.”

“Her faith in the Lord, wisdom, strength and love guided our marriage and family through the years,” he said.

Still in tears, he concluded: “I love you and look forward to the next chapter in our lives. And welcome aboard, everyone.”

The commentators also got misty-eyed when they saw the clip.

Commentators admitted they were also misty-eyed as they watched the speech and a follow-up video of the plane performing a “water salute” in honor of the pilot’s retirement

“He thanks his wife I SOBINGGGGG,” one person wrote.

“As a pilot’s daughter it made me cry…I’ll lose it if this is my dad’s retirement flight,” echoed a second.

“Oh, I’d be surprised,” agreed a third.

“Think of all the people he transported from one place to another,” mused a fourth.

“Considering how many families, people and cultures he single-handedly connected around the world. Thank you very much!’ added another.

A follow-up video shared by the same account showed a view from the passenger window of a plane as nearby fire engines performed a water salute – a practice in which two fire engines are parked on either side of a runway, forming an arc of water for the plane was traditionally flown in honor of a retiring pilot.

The clip captured the moment the fire hose sprayed down one side of the plane and flooded the passenger window with water – before capturing an idyllic exterior shot of the plane taxiing under the two jets of water, seemingly heading for a beautiful sunset on the horizon.

“I’m not crying for a stranger,” enthused one viewer at the water greeting post.