When Gerhard Bradner realized he couldn’t deliver his passengers on time to Denver International Airport – he did the next best thing. The Frontier Airline pilot ordered 38 pizzas for his 160 hungry passengers (out of his own pocket) and delivered a flight experience they will never forget.
Frontier Airlines Flight 719, from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport bound for Denver, was already one hour behind schedule when stormy weather in the Denver area forced the plane to divert to Cheyenne Regional Airport in Wyoming. Sensing the frustration of his stranded passengers, Gerhard Bradner took action. According to Logan Marie Thomas, a passenger aboard the diverted flight, he announced, “Ladies and gentleman, Frontier Airlines is known for being one of the cheapest airlines in the US, but your captain is not cheap. I just ordered pizza for the entire plane.”
After the passenger’s pizza party aboard the Airbus A320 aircraft, Flight 719 departed Cheyenne at approximately 10:30 p.m. and landed at Denver International Airport just past midnight.
Since then, Bradner’s gesture of generosity has him landed him and Frontier Airlines international fame. In a recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Bradner humbly stated, “No, I am not a hero. I just ordered pizza.” Bradner has now been reimbursed for his rather large pizza order by Frontier Airlines.
