The military charter did have his son aboard, as it turned out. So Lopes' decision to pick up the flight led to a family reunion, which was captured on video. (Photo Courtesy: The Washington Post)
Mario Lopes knew that his son was expected to return from an overseas deployment in mid-April. He also knew that there was a military charter bound for Norfolk, Va., on the same day of his son's scheduled trip, ABC News reported.
So, Lopes, a pilot for United Airlines, decided to try to fly that charter. He didn't know for sure that his son would be on the flight, but - might as well go for it, right?
"I told my wife that this couldn't be a coincidence," Lopes told ABC News. "No one could confirm or deny if he would actually be a passenger on my aircraft, but I knew I had to take the chance and find out."
The military charter did have his son aboard, as it turned out. So Lopes' decision to pick up the flight led to a family reunion, which was captured on video.
"Apparently this video has made a lot of people cry," Lopes told a Fox affiliate. "It made me cry."
Before the surprise, Lopes "briefed the flight crew before anyone boarded and laid out a plan to divert his son's attention," according to a post about the encounter on United's website. The crew helped Lopes stay hidden until he was ready for the big reveal. Then . . .
"I made my way behind him and asked, 'First Lieutenant Lopes, what are you doing on my aircraft?' " Lopes told ABC News. "When he turned around we embraced for as long as I could hold him. I cannot express the emotions I felt holding my son after not seeing him for so long."
To clarify, here's a bit more background, according to an airline spokesman: Lopes' son flew from Kuwait to Germany, where he boarded the military charter. The reunion happened in Germany. United flies more than 500 charters like this a year, according to the airline.
Lopes told WTTG-TV that his son's eyes "opened up like saucers" at the surprise. His wife also helped in the effort, baking her son's favorite cookies, according to United.
"I have been flying since I was 17, I've worked for multiple companies prior to my 27-year career at United," Lopes told ABC News. "I've had a lot of memories, but this flight is by far the most important to me."
Watch Video© 2016 The Washington Post
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)