A full-circle moment: Flight attendant joins her pilot father for his final Delta flight 

When Captain Mark Cokewell pushed back from the gate for his final Delta flight on Sept. 5, it marked the culmination of more than four decades in commercial aviation. While it was the A350 captain’s final flight for Delta, it was his first with daughter flight attendant Bethany Wish on the same crew.  

"Dad, for as long as I can remember, whenever you’d leave for one of your trips overseas, I would always say, 'Fly safe, Daddy,’" Bethany announced onboard the flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Detroit (DTW). "And you would answer, 'I always do.’ I was never worried when you left because, in my eyes, you were the best pilot in the world.” 

After a year spent navigating her young son Finn’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, Bethany was thrilled to share this unforgettable milestone with her father.  

"The fact that Finn is doing well, and I was able to return to flying just in time to experience my dad's retirement flight, feels like an incredible gift from God," Bethany said. 

A year that changed everything 

In 2025, Bethany and her family received devastating news when Finn was diagnosed with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at just 17 months old. 

"I never imagined my son would be diagnosed with cancer," Bethany said. "Suddenly the future was unclear, and our world became hospitals, chemotherapy, medications and uncertainty." 

The months that followed were filled with intensive treatment, difficult decisions and countless unknowns. Throughout it all, Delta colleagues rallied around Bethany and her family. 

After learning of Finn's diagnosis, Delta leaders immediately began working to help. 

"I was granted a leave of absence, which allowed me to be home with Finn and my other son, Jack, during the hardest year of Finn's treatment," Bethany said. 

She credits her leaders with helping her navigate family needs, time away from work and access to affordable healthcare coverage throughout Finn's ongoing treatment. 

Today, Finn is doing well, though he still has about a year and a half of treatment ahead of him. Bethany says the support of her coworkers and leaders made an enormous difference. 

The meaning of the Delta family 

For Bethany, Finn's diagnosis transformed the phrase "Delta family" from a familiar saying into a lived experience. 

"Over the years, I've heard the term 'Delta family' a lot, but it never rang true like it did when Finn was diagnosed with cancer," she said. 

"My small but mighty Raleigh-Durham (RDU) base came around me like a family. People I barely know have consistently supported my family through prayer and financial contributions, and by picking up and swapping trips with me as I navigated my return to work." 

That support helped make it possible for her to return to flying in time for a milestone she once wasn't sure she would be able to experience. 

Following in her father's footsteps 

Long before she became a Delta flight attendant, Bethany was a little girl who couldn't wait for her pilot dad to come home from a trip. 

"I was always so excited and proud knowing my dad was a pilot," she said. "He would send postcards from overseas and bring back souvenirs. When he got home, I would try on his pilot hat." 

Growing up around aviation sparked a lifelong passion for travel. 

"My love of air travel started when I was a child, flying with my dad and being around airplanes growing up," Bethany said. "I think a little bit of jet fuel runs through my veins because when I heard Delta was hiring flight attendants in 2014, I knew it was the job for me." 

Celebrating an extraordinary career 

For Captain Cokewell, the AMS flight marked the end of more than 40 years in commercial aviation, including time spent with Republic, Northwest and Delta. During that time, he built a reputation as a respected leader and A350 captain. 

 During that time, he built a reputation as a respected leader and A350 captain. 

"My father is honestly the hardest worker I know," Bethany said. "His professionalism, knowledge and calm leadership in the cockpit have earned him the respect of so many people he has worked with over the years." 

She also laughs recalling his sense of humor. 

"I'll never forget being at an air show with my husband when he pointed to a plane and asked my dad, 'Could you fly that?'" Bethany said. "Without missing a beat, my dad answered, 'I could fly a washing machine if it had wings on it!'" 

“It’s been a great career, and I feel fortunate to have been able to fly as long as I have. My wife Mary’s family is from Italy, and we’ve been able to fly back and forth there with the kids. I am sure even in retirement, flying will continue to be a big part of our life,” said Mark.  

While Mark has worn many hats throughout his life, Bethany says the most important roles have always been husband, father and grandfather. 

Gratitude for the journey  

When asked what word best describes this moment, Bethany's answer comes quickly: gratitude. 

"What we lost in certainty, we gained in perspective and gratitude," she said. "Every day that we wake up and our family is together is the richest blessing." 

Mark shares that sentiment.  

“I want to thank the entire Delta team for sharing my family's story. This was most special given my grandson Finn's leukemia fight and Beth's strength in maintaining her grace and faith over the past year while caring for him," said Mark.  

As Captain Cokewell completed his final Delta flight, he did so surrounded by family, with his grandson continuing his courageous fight and loved ones celebrating not only an extraordinary career, but also the power of resilience, gratitude and the Delta family.