• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Family

Mom thanks passenger who befriended 7-year-old son with autism during flight

1:00
Mom thanks passenger who befriended 7-year-old son with autism during flight
Ben Pedraza
ByNicole Pelletiere
July 02, 2019, 2:09 PM

A mother took to Facebook to publicly thank a stranger for putting her mind at ease during her son's first solo airplane ride.

Alexa Bjornson of Las Vegas, Nevada, told "Good Morning America" her son Landon was traveling on June 27 to Portland, Oregon, to see his father. The 7-year-old makes the trip once a year, Bjornson said, but this was Landon's first time flying alone.

Landon has high-functioning autism and Bjornson wanted to ensure he'd have an enjoyable flight.

"When you have autism you can feel when someone is irritated with you," Bjornson explained. "My goal was to make sure he felt comfortable with whomever was sitting around him so he could talk and be himself."

Related Articles

(MORE: Photographer captures her own grandparents in stunning photos for their 60th wedding anniversary)

Bjornson decided to write a letter to the person who would wind up sitting next to Landon, in hopes that person would show him kindness.

She wrote, "He might ask you, 'Are we there yet?' a few times or get a little loud with his headphones on. If you could please find it in your heart to make him feel comfortable and safe, I would be forever grateful!"

Bjornson also included a $10 gift and her cell phone number at the bottom of the note.

Alexa Bjornson of Las vegas, Nevada, decided to write a letter to the person who would wind up sitting next to her son Landon on a flight to Portland, Oregon, in hopes that person would show him kindness.
Ben Pedraza

Within 20 minutes of Landon's plane landing, Bjornson received a text from a man named Ben Pedraza.

Editor’s Picks

This mom attends LGBTQ weddings when the couple's families won't: Here's why

  • Jun 09, 2020

2-year-old unable to crawl now cruising thanks to dad's smart invention

  • Jun 27, 2019

2-year-old mimics dad shouting while watching NBA game

  • Jun 26, 2019

"I was Landon's seat neighbor for his flight to Portland," Pedraza wrote to Bjornson, along with a selfie of himself posing with Landon. "He did ask if we were there yet several times but he was a great travel buddy. He's a great kid and you're a lucky mom."

Pedraza also wrote in the letter that he donated the $10 to Autism-Society.org in honor of Landon.

Bjornson shared the letter on Facebook with her friends and family. The public post was quickly shared 134,000 times.

PHOTO: Alexa Bjornson of Las Vegas, Nevada, told "Good Morning America" her son Landon was traveling on June 27 to Portland, Oregon, to see his father.
Alexa Bjornson of Las Vegas, Nevada, told "Good Morning America" her son Landon was traveling on June 27 to Portland, Oregon, to see his father. The 7-year-old makes the trip once a year, Bjornson said, but this was Landon's first time flying alone.
Alexa Bjornson

Related Articles

(MORE: 4th grader reveals to his classmates that he is autistic during speech: 'For a very long time, you guys have not know I had autism')

"I was relieved that I had picture-proof that my son had a good flight, he was comfortable and safe and felt like he could be himself," Bjornson said. "Then, I felt humbled that he donated that money and let me know Landon was no burden to him once so ever."

"There are good humans on the planet that make him feel like it's OK to be himself and not make him feel like an annoyance," she added.

Bjornson said Landon and his dad hope to meet up with Pedraza and his family for lunch while in Oregon.

Ben Pedraza poses in a selfie with Landon Bjornson, 7, of Las Vegas, Nevada, during a flight to Portland, Oregon.
Ben Pedraza

Editor’s Picks

This mom attends LGBTQ weddings when the couple's families won't: Here's why

  • Jun 09, 2020

2-year-old unable to crawl now cruising thanks to dad's smart invention

  • Jun 27, 2019

2-year-old mimics dad shouting while watching NBA game

  • Jun 26, 2019

Up Next in Family—

What to know about A$AP Rocky and Rihanna and their family

July 14, 2025

What to know about camp safety: Key questions for parents after Texas flooding

July 11, 2025

Mom welcomes triplets after 10 years of thinking she couldn't have any more kids

July 10, 2025

Moms of 'kidfluencers' defend sharing their lives online

July 9, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News