A heartwarming story of a father and daughter from Arizona who achieved their lifelong dream of piloting a Southwest Airlines flight together! Meet MacKenzie Rennhack, a First Officer, who had always known that she wanted to be a pilot, just like her dad, Captain Michael Rennhack. Southwest Airlines shared a Facebook post detailing their special flight, along with MacKenzie’s mom, brother, and fiancé.
Even as a child, MacKenzie’s passion for aviation was evident. She would dress up as her dad for elementary school and was gifted a “discovery flight,” which solidified her desire to pursue a career in flying. Her journey led her to enroll in the Southwest Airlines Destination 225° Pilot Pathways Program at Arizona State University, which supports aspiring pilots in achieving their dreams, regardless of their flight experience, current career, or education.
Describing MacKenzie as an overachiever, her proud father, Michael, mentioned her dedication and constant drive for improvement. “A 110% isn’t good enough, she’ll get a little bit better, she’ll push a little bit harder,” he shared in an interview with local ABC affiliate KNXV-TV.
Their first flight together went smoothly, but there was one moment of humorous confusion. MacKenzie had to figure out what to call her dad while they were in the cockpit. Should she address him as “captain,” “Mike,” or simply “dad”? They laughed about it and eventually found their rhythm.
Southwest Airlines ended their post with a warm welcome to First Officer MacKenzie, expressing their joy at having her on board. It’s truly a heartwarming journey for this talented father-daughter duo, highlighting the power of dreams and family support.
