This Malaysian Father-Daughter Duo Flew Their First Commercial Flight Together to Sri Lanka

Most people remember their first flight for the excitement of taking off, gazing out the window at the clouds, or arriving at a new destination. But for one Malaysian father and daughter, their first commercial flight together was memorable for an entirely different reason: they were the ones flying the aircraft.

Captain Razali Abdul Aziz, 53, began his career as a pilot in 1996 after obtaining a Diploma in Aviation and an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) from the Australian Air Academy in Tamworth, Australia.

Over the course of his 30-year aviation career, he has logged more than 18,500 flight hours and most recently served as a Boeing 737 pilot.

They flew a commercial flight to Sri Lanka together on Monday

While his years in aviation have given him plenty of unforgettable memories, nothing compared to the experience of flying a commercial aircraft with his daughter by his side as co-pilot.

Image Credit: Kosmo!

Speaking to Kosmo!, Razali said the milestone came when he and his eldest daughter, Fatin Dayini, 26, were assigned to operate flight OD287/296 on the Kuala Lumpur-Colombo-Kuala Lumpur route last Monday (3 August).

According to Razali, the occasion was an emotional one, but both of them remained professional to ensure the flight was operated safely.

"I was proud, touched and happy, but at the same time, I felt a little awkward having to work alongside my own daughter in the same cockpit," he said.

An interest that began at a young age

Like many people who discover their passion early in life, Fatin Dayini developed an interest in aviation while she was still in school.

Razali said he first noticed his daughter's fascination with the industry when she was studying at MRSM Trolak and later at MRSM Taiping.

"She always had so many questions about aircraft and the aviation industry. She also loved going through my work bag just to look at anything related to aviation."

Razali added that one of the most memorable moments of flying with his daughter for the first time was being able to guide her through the take-off and landing procedures.

"For me, that moment was like seeing a legacy that had been built over time grow naturally. It's difficult to describe the satisfaction of seeing your child perform her responsibilities so well," he said.

Featured Image Credit: Kosmo!, NST