THIS is a flight hell that nobody should ever have to go through.

Karen Momsen-Evers, 57, was travelling from New Orleans back home to Milwaukee on Southwest Airlines after a fun weekend with her friends. But moments before her plane took off, she received a horrifying text from her husband, Andy, locals news site TMJ4 reported.

It read: “Karen please forgive me for what I am about to do, I am going to kill myself.”

A shocked Ms Momsen-Evers said while she didn’t know how to react, she knew she needed to respond quickly.

“I started shaking the minute I got the text and I was panicked, I didn’t know what to do,” Mrs Momsen-Evers said.

So she started responding to the text with the word “no” and called him. However, she claims, flight attendants who were performing final checks on the plane stopped her.

“The steward slapped the phone down and said you need to go on aeroplane mode now”.

She explained the situation but was told it was “regulation”. Another crew member allegedly also told her there was nothing they could do, refusing to alert the captain.

“I begged her, I said I’m sure someone can make an emergency phone call ... I just wanted someone to go and try to save him,” she said.

It wasn’t until the plane landed that she was allowed to call police, spending the whole two-and-a-half hour flight in tears.

When she got home, police were waiting for her, and told her the devastating news that her husband was dead.

She is now haunted by what happened, saying: “I go to sleep at night thinking what could I have done, what should I have done.”

A Southwest Airlines spokesperson told news.com.au: “We are unable to share details surrounding the event, but the Southwest family continues to extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Evers. Our flight attendants are responsible for executing safety procedures to prepare a flight for departure and arrival, in accordance with FAA (US Federal Aviation Administration) regulations, while assisting the up to 100-plus passengers on-board.

“Southwest Airlines transports more than 100 million customers a year, and it’s not uncommon for our crews to assist passengers with life events. Our employees utilise their training to handle each situation to the best of their ability and have a 44-year history of caring for our customers — as if they are a part of the Southwest Family.

“Again, our hearts go out to Mrs. Evers and her family during this difficult time.”

The airline told TMJ4 the pilots weren’t notified: “Flight attendants are trained to notify the captain if there is an emergency that poses a hazard to the aircraft or to the passengers on-board. In this situation, the pilots were not notified.”

If you, or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.