Delta crew pays tribute to LDS missionary during his ‘final flight’ home

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Delta Airlines brought Elder Langi home to Utah with a special tribute after he died while serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Carolina.

A video of a Delta Airlines captain honoring Elder Aleki Langi, 18, while flying him and his family members into Salt Lake City has gone viral on social media, with hundreds of people sharing their love for the family in the comments.

“We would like to just take a moment to acknowledge one of our fellow Delta family members,” the captain announces in the video. “They’re on board today in row 34 and they’re accompanying one of their family members on their final flight here to Salt Lake City.”

The captain asked the other passengers to stay seated so Elder Langi’s family could be the first to deboard. Crew members lined up on the runway and waved to the family as the plane touched down.

“You have our deepest respect and sympathy,” the captain said.

The family posted the video calling it the “most bittersweet landing” and thanking the airline for taking care of them and Elder Langi.

Earlier this month, Elder Langi was struck by a vehicle that drove onto a sidewalk where he and his two companions were walking. North Carolina officers initially described the incident as a hit-and-run with two of the three missionaries injured. Elder Langi died from his injuries at the scene.

“I loved our trip home with our boy but love our Delta family and companions even more,” a family member commented. “They have no idea how much they helped lifted [sic] this load with us.”