Boyfriend secretly collaborates with 40 passengers on flight to pull off epic proposal

While many prefer simple, intimate weddings, some choose to go big—starting with the proposal. Erica Bonilla, dressed in a pastel blue dress, arrived at Houston airport expecting to pick up her boyfriend Jack Lorey, who was flying in from Nashville. What she didn’t expect was the surprise proposal he had planned. On that magical night at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Jack proposed to Erica with a red rose, according to WKRN News.

Jack and Erica had been in a long-distance relationship for two years, flying between Nashville and Houston each month to see one another. While Erica expected a low-key birthday date, Jack had something grand planned. He secretly teamed up with United Airlines and 40 passengers for a proposal. Their love story began in Florida—Jack was attending a wedding, and Erica was on a family vacation. They locked eyes from across a bar, and as Jack put it, “I went and introduced myself." After staying in touch, Erica flew to Nashville, and both quickly realized this was something special.

When Jack made that unexpected last-minute trip to Florida, he never knew that he was going to find the love of his life. Now he says, he thanks God every day for sending him to the wedding that day. Over time, their love blossomed and they couldn’t wait to meet each other every month. "That loose contact became constant and the visits back and forth never stopped,” he said. Ever since they started dating each other in their long-distance relationship, they shared many adventures, from rodeos to skydiving, and more. But it was time for the couple to move towards the next chapter of their lives, and Jack took the initiative.

When Jack’s flight landed, each of the passengers handed Bonilla a rose as they left. When Bonilla’s hands were full of roses, Jack bent down on his knee and gave her the last rose, right on the tarmac. As Bonilla extended her hand, he slipped a ring into her finger and she was beyond ecstatic. After the proposal, Erica was seen exclaiming in a video by the news outlet, “This is the best day of my life!”

Later, Jack thanked United Airlines for making the heartwarming moment possible with their support. "Leading up to the day, I was a nervous wreck, I sent an email on a whim to United and to have gotten their help to make this proposal happen is so cool. I am beyond grateful," said Jack, before adding, "We already loved United, but helping me make this proposal special for Erica has definitely built a lifelong loyalty from our family."

On Instagram, where Jack posted some pictures of this sweet proposal, United Airlines congratulated them in a comment, saying, “One box of tissues was not enough.”