88-Year-Old Grandmother Flies for the First Time on Plane Piloted by her Grandson

"I felt like a spoiled celebrity," said Frances Dahlke after her first-ever flight to Chicago.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Frances Dahlke, an 88-year-old Wisconsin grandmother, took her first-ever flight on a plane piloted by her grandson, Alex Shupe. Dahlke had decided she would fly when Shupe got his pilot's license, and on February 8th, 2026, he flew her and other family members from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Chicago. Dahlke said she felt like a "spoiled celebrity" as she rode in the first-class seat, and she was excited to experience flying for the first time, including seeing the clouds and taking Dramamine to prevent motion sickness.

Why it matters

This heartwarming story highlights the special bond between a grandmother and her grandson, and the joy of crossing off a major bucket list item later in life. It also showcases how airline employee benefits can enable meaningful family experiences that may not have otherwise been possible.

The details

On February 8th, 2026, 88-year-old Frances Dahlke flew from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Chicago on a flight piloted by her grandson, Alex Shupe. Dahlke had decided she would fly when Shupe got his pilot's license, and he was able to use his employee flight benefits to get her a first-class seat on the trip. Dahlke said she felt "like a spoiled celebrity" and was excited to experience flying for the first time, including seeing the clouds and taking Dramamine to prevent motion sickness. Shupe's parents and brother also joined them on the flight, giving the whole family a chance to see him in action as a pilot.

  • On February 8, 2026, Frances Dahlke flew from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Chicago.

The players

Frances Dahlke

An 88-year-old grandmother from Wisconsin who took her first-ever flight on a plane piloted by her grandson.

Alex Shupe

The grandson of Frances Dahlke who is a pilot and flew his grandmother and other family members from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“It's very, very nice... I felt like a spoiled celebrity. I had the first seat in first class.”

— Frances Dahlke (CBS Chicago)

“As an airline employee, you get these flight benefits. I was able to throw her name on a list and then put her on the standby list.”

— Alex Shupe, Pilot (CBS Chicago)

“Career highlight for me to finally be able to fly my family on my flight from La Crosse. First time ever my parents and brother have flown with me and first ever flight for my 88 year old grandma. A truly memorable experience.”

— Alex Shupe, Pilot (Instagram)

What’s next

The Dahlke family plans to take more flights together in the future, with Alex Shupe continuing to pilot the plane.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story shows the special bond between a grandmother and her grandson, and how airline employee benefits can enable meaningful family experiences that may not have otherwise been possible. It's a reminder to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones, no matter their age.