Qantas crew’s heartwarming act for 103-year-old passenger

A 103-year-old passenger had no idea what was about to happen when she stepped foot onto a flight heading back home to Hong Kong. It left her stunned.

An entire Qantas plane, including the pilot and cabin crew, erupted into cheers as they welcomed on-board a passenger older than the airline itself.

At 103 years of old, Ngan Chun Kam aka ‘Mamma’, is believed to be the oldest passenger the airline has ever flown.

The airline was founded in November 1920 and Mamma was born on January 1, 1920.

She was on her way home to Hong Kong after visiting family in Sydney for seven weeks, when Qantas staff on-board QF127 learned of her age.

An entire Qantas plane, including the pilot and cabin crew, erupted in a loud cheer for 103-year-old Ngan Chun Kam aka ‘Mamma’.

“It was such an honour to have Ms Kam on our flight to Hong Kong,” Jayson Eng, Qantas customer service agent who was on the November 3 flight, told news.com.au.

“We got her trip off to a flying start with a special welcome announcement from the Captain, which was broadcast throughout the entire aircraft.”

Mr Eng said it resulted in a big cheer and a round of applause throughout the cabin.

“Our cabin crew loved taking turns to introduce themselves to Ms Kam. We called her Po Po (grandma in Cantonese) as a sign of respect for her. She was such a delight to have on board.”

Mamma, with her friend John, is believed to be the oldest passenger the airline has ever flown. She was in Sydney visiting family, before heading back home to Hong Kong on November 3.

Mamma, who has six children aged 72 to 83, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, has been visiting Australia once a year, since 1979.

Her second eldest son, Dennis, 81, lives in Sydney with his wife Helen and their family.

Her two daughters live in Canada, while her other three sons reside in Hong Kong, where they all live in the same building with their mother.

She was born in January 1920 and the airline was founded in November 1920. Pictured with friends and her daughter-in-law Helen (right) and son Dennis (far right).

Mamma’s daughter-in-law Helen said at first she had no idea why the cabin erupted in a loud cheer as she doesn’t speak English.

And it wasn’t until a friend who was also on the flight explained it was because she was the eldest passenger they’ve ever flown.

“Everyone was clapping and cheering and she just felt so special,” Helen told news.com.au.

The airline also gifted Mamma, who was flying in business class, a goodie bag filled with champagne and merch.

Mamma has 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

“When she got to Hong Kong, she called me saying John (friend on the flight with her) left his bag, thinking it was his,” Helen said.

“I told her it’s what the airline gave her as a gift and she said ‘well I don’t drink champagne’ – I told her ‘well in that case bring it back with you to Australia on your next visit, we’ll have it’,” she laughed.

She’s a very active woman and loves to fish.

Helen said her mother-in-law is very “switched on” and busy, saying her active lifestyle is one of the reasons behind her longevity.

“In Hong Kong she lives in mid-levels which is quite hilly and often goes to the fresh food market,” Helen explained.

She also loves Anzac biscuits.

“She would then carry the produce back up the hill and would do this every day and has done for many years.”

Mamma married Kam Shiu Pui when she was 19 years old — he was two years her senior.

“Her husband died in 1999. He was a farsighted business man who bought off-the-plan units in Hong Kong, which is where Mamma and her three sons live now,” Helen said.

“He imported apples and pears into Hong Kong from Australia.”

Helen’s father and Dennis’ grandfather were business partners in a market garden, where they grew fruit and vegetables — so it ran in the family.

Dennis then moved to Sydney to study accounting and that’s where he met Helen. The pair have four children together, who make up Mamma’s 15 grandchildren.

“Whenever mamma comes to Sydney we take her out on the boat because she loves fishing so much. She would see the line flutter and point and say ‘there’s one’.”

The family is looking forward to welcoming her next year, for her annual trip.