A flight attendant has shared the story of a male passenger who gave his first class seat to an elderly woman travelling in economy during a transatlantic flight.

Jack and Violet were travelling on a Virgin Atlantic flight from New York to London.

Leah Amy, who works as cabin crew for the Gatwick-based carrier, shared the pair’s story on Facebook, where it has attracted more than 11,000 likes.

“Of the hundreds of flights I’ve operated, I’ve had the pleasure of looking after footballers, supermodels and some Hollywood movie stars but let me tell you about my two favourite passengers EVER!” she said.

“Jack and his family purchased seats In our upper class cabin for a flight home from New York, but when he got onboard, Jack went and found Violet in economy and swapped seats with her.”

It’s understood the pair struck up a friendship while waiting to board the aircraft.

The flight attendant said that Jack took Violet’s seat next to the economy toilets “and never asked for anything” for the rest of the flight. “No fuss, no attention,” she added.

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Leah Amy said that Violet, who is 88, had worked as a nurse in both the UK and the US, but wasn’t able to travel quite as frequently following a knee operation.