‘I’m not crying YOU’RE crying’: United Airlines passenger faces a connecting flight disaster, but a stranger’s quick thinking saves the day
TikTok user @haileyannsand’s video of her experience of flying with United Airlines is winning over the internet. In a video shared to the account on May 3, 2025, she is narrating how her co-passenger on a flight from San Antonio, Texas, to Denver, Colorado basically helped her reach her connecting flight on time, which in turn allowed her to see her grandfather, who was put under comfort care, before he passed away.
Talking about the incident, user @haileyannsand, whose real name is Hailey Ann, said that the woman who helped her did not owe her anything, but, despite that, when she learnt that she was in such a predicament, she willingly came forward to help. Hailey Ann, through her TikTok video, also wanted to reach out to the woman, thank her, and let her know she was able to get on the connecting flight in time to see her grandfather and have a heart-to-heart with him before he passed away the next day. Not only that, but she also got to spend time with the rest of the family, following her grandfather’s demise and help them in dealing with their grief while also having someone to share her grief with.
TikTok user @haileyannsand is thankful towards her United Airlines co-passenger
As previously highlighted, user @haileyannsand was on a United Airlines plane from San Antonio, Texas, to Denver, Colorado. When her flight landed, it was announced that some people had a tight connecting flight, and she raised her hand. Sensing something was off, her co-passenger, with whom she had not spoken during the entire journey, asked what the matter was. She then told her that she had booked her current flight just a few hours before takeoff and that her connecting flight was scheduled for 25 minutes later. She also revealed the motive of her journey, stating that she was going to see her grandfather, who was on comfort care and that if she didn’t get the connecting flight, she might lose the opportunity of ever seeing her grandfather again.
Hearing all of this, the woman stepped into the aisle and announced to everyone on the plane, asking them to step aside so that Hailey Ann could deboard the plane at the earliest and catch her connecting flight. She then got off the plane, reached the terminal for her next flight, and was able to board it. As mentioned before, she was also able to reach her grandfather on time and say her I love you’s before he passed away.
People are overcome with emotions in the comments of user @haileyannsand’s post
It’s not every day that you get to see a person go out of their way to help someone. So when it happens, people are naturally grateful for it. In the comments section of TikTok user @haileyannsand’s post, user @rockerchick78 wrote, “I’m not crying YOU’RE crying.” User @sophiiamueller sharing a similar sentiment wrote, “thank you to the woman on united airlines flight 280 seat 31b, now im crying.”
Flight attendants also joined the conversation in the comments section of Hailey Ann’s TikTok video. User @nicolekittle wrote, “Flight Attendant here crying with my morning coffee… warms my heart that there are good people still out there because if I had to tell you how a normal day goes in the air it’s NOT like this!” User @ steffi.plg wrote, “As a flight attendant, I’m in tears.”
What happens if someone misses their connecting United Airlines flight?
According to the United Airlines website, their Connection Saver tool alerts them when a passenger might miss their connecting flight, and with that information, they can decide whether to hold the flight. Additionally, it is advisable for passengers with connecting flights to download the United app to reach their next gate as quickly as possible.
If someone misses their United Airlines flight, they will usually be rebooked on the next available flight, or they can choose a flight of their choice. They can also track their luggage using the bag tracker option on the United app. Additionally, they might have access to hotel or meal vouchers.
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