Delta Air Lines is paying tribute to Jimmy Carter with a heartwarming video of the former president.
The airline honored the 39th president of the United States — who died on Sunday, Dec. 29, at the age of 100 — by resurfacing a video taken years ago of Carter shaking hands with every single passenger on his flight.
In the clip shared to X on Dec. 29, Carter can be seen with a big smile on his face as he makes his way to each row on the full flight.
Passengers appear to look up at him and return his warm greeting, as one person can be heard saying in the background: “I love you, Jimmy Carter.”
“Every time Jimmy Carter flew Delta, he shook hands with each person on the plane. Because that’s who he was,” Delta captioned the touching tribute. “Someone who treated people as people.”
“Today we celebrate his life – a great friend, family man, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader who showed us all how to properly treat those around us. Rest in peace, Mr. President. Your legacy lives on.” the caption concludes.
The video was reportedly taken in 2017 by passenger James Parker Sheffield on the way to Washington D.C. from Atlanta, according to WSBTV Atlanta.
“His enthusiasm was authentic and humble, in a way that made things feel less heavy for a moment,” Sheffield told the outlet at the time.
David Goldman/AP
After nearly two years in hospice care, Carter died at his home in Plains, Ga., at the age of 100. His last public appearance was at his wife Rosalynn’s funeral in November 2023. Rosalynn had been by his side for much of his time in hospice until her death.
Carter credited his wife as the reason why he lived such a long life in his last interview with PEOPLE in 2019.
“It’s hard to live until you’re 95 years old,” Carter said at the time. “I think the best explanation for that is to marry the best spouse: someone who will take care of you and engage and do things to challenge you and keep you alive and interested in life.”
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Carter’s funeral proceedings will take place over eight days and end in a ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9, according to The New York Times. On Sunday, Dec. 29, President Joe Biden declared the 9th a National Day of Mourning to honor the political leader and beloved humanitarian’s funeral.
