A US pilot delayed a Southwest Airlines plane earlier this week to ensure that a passenger was able to bid farewell to his dying grandson.

The passenger, Mark, was travelling from LA to Denver where his grandson was due to be taken off life support following a fatal attack several days prior.

A Southwest spokesman said that the airline aims to do as much as it can to find out why their passengers are travelling, especially in emergency situations.

According to a letter from Mark’s wife Nancy to a US travel blog, arriving 12 minutes late for his flight due to travel delays, Mark was surprised that the pilot had waited for him.

“They can’t go anywhere without me and I wasn’t going anywhere without you. Now relax. We’ll get you there. And again, I’m so sorry,” the pilot said to Mark upon boarding the plane.