Honoring the Past: American Airlines and Delta Air Lines Charter Flights for WWII Veterans on 80th Anniversary of D-Day

American Airlines has announced a special charter flight for 70 World War II veterans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The trip will begin with a send-off parade at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, where the veterans will board a chartered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bound for Paris on May 31. Once in France, the veterans will spend two days in Paris before heading to Normandy for a series of events, including a ceremony at the American Cemetery.

The initiative by American Airlines comes after Delta Air Lines announced similar plans to fly 60 World War II veterans directly to Normandy for the third year in a row. Among the veterans being flown by American Airlines is Frank Perry, a former pilot with Piedmont Airlines and a turret gunner in the Army Air Corps. Another veteran on the flight is Felix Maurizio, a US Navy veteran who was involved in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach.

David Seymour, American’s chief operating officer and an army veteran himself, expressed his honor in playing a part in helping these heroic veterans return to Normandy. He emphasized that it was crucial to shine a light on their extraordinary stories and preserve their legacies for future generations. This special journey is not only an act of gratitude but also serves as an inspiration for people around the world to remember those brave soldiers who fought for freedom and justice.