Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Father And Daughter Pilots Share Sweet Airport Radio Exchange
A father and daughter who are both airline pilots were working at the same airport.
They unexpectedly heard each other on the airplane radio.
The daughter said “Pops?”
to get her father’s attention.
They discovered that their planes were waiting near different runways.
Another pilot joked that the father should be proud of his pilot daughter.
The father then joked that she still used his cellphone plan.
The daughter added that she was single.
United Airlines shared the funny and sweet moment online, and many people enjoyed it.
Kent Katnik and his daughter, Kenny Katnik, unexpectedly met on the same radio frequency at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Kent was preparing United Airlines Flight 108, while Kenny was set to depart on CommutAir Flight 4977 for United Express.
Kenny greeted her father by saying “Pops?” while both aircraft were preparing to leave.
Their conversation included jokes about Kenny having moved out but remaining on her father’s cellphone plan.
United Airlines later shared the exchange on Instagram, where viewers praised the family moment and joked about the data-plan discussion.
- Who
- Commercial pilots Kent Katnik and his daughter, Kenny Katnik, along with other pilots and an air traffic controller.
- What
- The father and daughter unexpectedly exchanged jokes and greetings over an airport radio frequency while preparing for departure.
- When
- September 1.
- Where
- Washington Dulles International Airport.
- Why
- They happened to be preparing nearby departures and were connected through the same radio frequency; United Airlines later shared the exchange online.
- Father
- Kent Katnik, pilot of United Airlines Flight 108
- Daughter
- Kenny Katnik, pilot of CommutAir Flight 4977 for United Express
- Airport
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- Date
- September 1
- Radio exchange
- Kenny greeted Kent with “Pops?” while holding short of Runway 1R
- Family joke
- Kent said Kenny had moved out but remained on his cellphone plan
- Online response
- United Airlines shared the interaction on Instagram, attracting positive and humorous reactions