How a Delta crew helped reunite a mother and daughter for a final goodbye

On one of the most challenging days of Hannah White’s life, she found peace in the generosity and determination of several Delta Air Lines employees who went to great lengths to ensure that she was able to spend another precious 24 hours with her mom.

Hannah White booked a flight in a desperate attempt to say goodbye to her mother before her expected passing.

In October, White’s mother had been in critical condition because of undiagnosed pneumonia that rapidly progressed into septic shock. Doctors notified White’s family that her mother, Kathleen Nelson, had little time left but couldn’t provide a more specific timeline based on her condition.

In a race against the clock, White booked a flight to the Bismarck Municipal Airport in North Dakota. However, because of the city’s small size and limited flight options, she could not depart until the following day.

“I immediately started panicking, already having waited a day to see her, we weren’t sure if she was going to make it,” White said.

On one of the most challenging days of White’s life, she found peace in the generosity and determination of several Delta Air Lines employees who went to great lengths to ensure that she was able to spend another precious 24 hours with her mom.

White’s story, which she posted on TikTok in December, has gone viral, attracting more than 10 million views and more than 27,000 comments from people sharing similar experiences and offering their sympathy.

White boarded her scheduled Delta flight in Dallas, and as she anxiously awaited takeoff, the pilot notified the passengers of a delay because of technical issues. With only an hour-long layover before her connecting flight in Minneapolis, she knew she would not make it in time.