Sir, - On October 27th in Amsterdam I prepared to board the Aer Lingus evening flight for Dublin, aware that my father in St Vincent's Hospital had only hours to live. Fearful of delays, I made the situation known to the airline's ground staff, requesting assistance to make my passage through Dublin Airport as rapid as possible.
The response was as efficient as it was sympathetic. My suitcase was sought out and brought into the cabin for the flight; I was upgraded to a seat near the front exit; the plane arrived in Dublin ahead of schedule; an Aer Lingus van was on the tarmac to whisk me through the airport to an awaiting taxi - prepaid by the company.
I reached my father in time. To Captain Jolley and his crew, and the ground staff in Amsterdam and Dublin, are due my heartfelt gratitude for all their efforts. You are simply the best. - Yours, etc.,
Marcus Walsh, Blackrock, Co Dublin.