A father keen to go on his holiday to Spain stepped in and flew an easyJet flight to Alicante when it transpired the service was a pilot down.

Michael Bradley, who happened to be an easyJet pilot himself, offered to fly the plane to avoid a delay of several hours.

An announcement he made over the tannoy before the flight took off from Manchester airport was filmed and shared on social media by one of the passengers.

“My wife who’s on row 15 with my little boy – hopefully he’s asleep by now, I should keep it down or else I’ll get told off – she rolled over and punched me in the back of the head and said ‘our flight’s delayed by two hours because they are minus one captain for the flight'.

”So just before we went through security I thought, I wonder if this is worth a phone call. I think it is because I’d like to go on holiday.

“I phoned up easyJet and said ‘Hiya, I’m standing in the terminal doing nothing. I have got my licence with me – deliberately from being punched in the back of the head at 3am – I have got my ID with me and I’d very much like to go on holiday. And if you need a favour I’m standing here ready to go.”

Mr Bradley said the airline phoned him back 38 seconds later, saying, “Please, please, pretty please with a big cherry on top, can you fly the aeroplane to Alicante?”

Minus his uniform, Mr Bradley finished by saying: “So if you’re alright for one of your pilots to look like this today, we’ll go to Alicante.”

The world's healthiest and happiest airports Show all 8 1 /8 The world's healthiest and happiest airports The world's healthiest and happiest airports Therapy dogs at Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport employs therapy dogs to assist with anxious and stressed passengers Vancouver International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports The rooftop swimming pool at Changi Airport, Singapore This airport also includes its own cinema Changi Airport, Singapore The world's healthiest and happiest airports Green space at Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport scored top marks for outdoor and green space Vancouver International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports The outdoor terrace at San Francisco International Airport San Francisco International Airport is the seventh busiest airport in the US San Francisco International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports Fancy a dip? A pool at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport and number three in the ranking Dubai International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports Frankfurt Airport With an open-air roof terrace, dedicated silent chairs, a quiet room and peaceful leisure facilities, Frankfurt International Airport came top in the ranking Frankfurt Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports Work out The transit lounge gym facilities at Changi Airport's Terminal 2 Changi Airport, Singapore The world's healthiest and happiest airports The spa at Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport came seventh in the ranking Vancouver International Airport

The announcement was greeted with cheers from those onboard.

Passenger Michelle Potts uploaded the video to Facebook, commenting: “Get to boarding and asked the guy at the desk what’s going on he said ‘oh your pilot’s gone missing but a guy that’s going on your flight is going to fly the plane’ REALLY CASUALLY!!!

“Luckily the guy was actually a pilot!! Probably would have been cancelled if it wasn’t for him! Legend.”

An easyJet spokesperson commended Mr Bradley for “going the extra mile” and emphasised that he was well rested, having had the previous four days off, and legally permitted to fly the aircraft.

“We are grateful to one of our pilots who was travelling on holiday from Manchester to Alicante on 2 September with his family and volunteered to operate the flight,” they told The Independent.

“This meant customers could get to their destination and shows the commitment and dedication of our crew.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“This is fully in line with regulations as he had his licence and ID with him. Safety is always our highest priority.”