A father in the United States came up with a novel idea to spend Christmas with his family despite his daughter being rostered to work over Christmas — he followed her to work.

Key points: Mr Vaughan travelled to New Orleans, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Atlanta and back over three days

Mr Vaughan travelled to New Orleans, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Atlanta and back over three days His effort to accompany his daughter on the flights became a social media hit after being shared on Facebook by a fellow traveller

His effort to accompany his daughter on the flights became a social media hit after being shared on Facebook by a fellow traveller He was able to travel for free by using standby tickets

Hal Vaughan accompanied his daughter Pierce on six flights over three days as she worked her job as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines over the holiday period.

Mr Vaughan told The New York Times his daughter had never spent holidays away from family, so he travelled with her on flights to New Orleans, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Atlanta and back to New Orleans from December 23 to 26.

He made the trips despite still reportedly recovering from a broken neck after falling off a ladder in June.

"Long story short, I had missed a lot of time with Pierce this summer," Mr Vaughan told The New York Times.

"I just felt terrible thinking about her spending her first Christmas alone, even though she's 25."

The doting dad's tale of commitment became a hit on social media after a fellow passenger Mike Levy sat next to Mr Vaughan and relayed the story on Facebook.

Mr Levy's Facebook post, along with a mid-flight selfie with Mr Vaughan and photo of Ms Vaughan, has been shared more than 36,000 times and garnered international attention.

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Facebook commenters loved the tale, calling Mr Vaughan the "best dad ever" and describing it as "the best Christmas story I've heard this year".

Ms Vaughan told The New York Times her father's efforts meant "everything" to her, as did her mother's "sacrifice" to stay home.

Ms Vaughan's mother stayed home in Mississippi while Mr Vaughan accompanied his daughter on the Christmas jaunt.

"Christmas is obviously huge for us," she said.

"For my mum to sacrifice that for him to be with me was indescribable."

Mr Vaughan was able to travel alongside his daughter for free by taking advantage of standby tickets accessible thanks to Ms Vaughan's employment.