American Air Flies 68 WWII Vets to France

The Boeing 787 charter flight is in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Monday, June 03, 2024 at 01:51 PM ET

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World War II veterans embark on a charter flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW). [Credit: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing]

Key Takeaways:

American Airlines transported 68 World War II veterans, aged 96 to 107, to France on a specially chartered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The trip was organized in recognition of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, with plans to visit memorial sites in Normandy.
Sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation, the veterans were accompanied by six Medal of Honor recipients and over 50 service cadets, emphasizing gratitude for their historical service.

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A group of 68 World War II veterans embarked on a whirlwind trip to France in recognition of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Leaving Dallas/Fort Worth on Friday, American donated a specially-chartered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for the trip across the pond.

Of the veterans onboard, the oldest was 107 years old with the youngest being 96. They were also joined by six Medal of Honor recipients along with over 50 cadets and midshipmen from various service branches who accompanied the veterans.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan is Sr. Director of Digital for Firecrown's Aviation Group. In 2013, he founded AirlineGeeks.com, a leading trade publication covering the airline industry. Since then, his work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the airline industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Previously, he worked for a Part 135 operator and later a major airline. Ryan is also an Adjunct Instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.