A United Airlines pilot has gained widespread attention on social media after personally overseeing the order and distribution of 30 pizzas to 155 passengers on his flight. Dubbed the “Pizza Pilot,” Scott Wardle, who has three decades of experience flying for the Air Force and as a civilian, empathized with the passengers’ plight, stating he felt compelled to show that “we care.”
The incident unfolded when Wardle, based in Boise, was en route to Phoenix with a stop in Houston. Approximately 45 minutes into the flight, he was alerted by the crew that a passenger had lost consciousness. Despite having two nurses and a medic aboard, Wardle opted for an emergency landing in Albuquerque at 11 p.m., just as the airport’s food court was closing.
After confirming that his cabin crew had exceeded their working hours and would need to be replaced, Wardle sought a way to support his stranded passengers. He decided on pizza, reasoning it was a universally liked option. “I started exploring some options at that point for what I want to do. I came up with the idea of doing pizza for everyone,” he explained.
Wardle expressed that his primary concern during this episode was compassion for his passengers. He promptly ordered dozens of pizzas and began serving them with plates and napkins. The heartwarming scene quickly went viral, with photos and videos capturing him in his pilot uniform handing out slices.
Despite the attention, Wardle remained humble, noting that many pilots engage in similar gestures of kindness. United Airlines recognized his actions and offered to reimburse him for the pizzas while celebrating him as a hero of the skies. He made sure every passenger received their slice before enjoying a pizza himself.