NEW YORK— Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the aviation community continues to remember American Airlines (AA) flight attendant Betty Ann Ong, whose actions aboard Flight 11 provided the first major warning that a hijacking was underway.
Ong was working on American Airlines Flight 11, which departed Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), when terrorists took control of the Boeing 767.
Ong made a 23-minute telephone call to American Airlines ground personnel after the hijacking began on September 11, 2001.
Her calm reports about injured crew members, the unresponsive cockpit, and the suspected hijacking gave authorities critical information during the opening moments of the attacks.
First Emergency Hijacking Alert From Flight 11
Ong contacted American Airlines’ reservation center at approximately 8:19 a.m., shortly after the aircraft was hijacked.
She reported that a passenger had been stabbed in business class and that the cockpit was not responding, while also warning that the aircraft appeared to be under terrorist control.
During the call, Ong and other crew members provided information about the hijackers and their seating positions. That information later helped authorities identify the attackers and establish what had happened aboard Flight 11.
Ong remained connected with ground personnel for about 23 minutes, continuing to communicate information while the situation deteriorated. Flight 11 eventually crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m., killing all 92 people aboard.
Betty Ong’s Enduring Legacy Of Courage
Ong was 45 years old and had spent 14 years working for American Airlines, eventually becoming a head flight attendant. She was a San Francisco native who had built a reputation among colleagues for caring for passengers, including children and older travelers.
Her family has spent the years since 9/11 preserving her memory through community programs and charitable activities.
In San Francisco’s Chinatown, the recreation center where Ong spent part of her childhood was renamed in her honor and continues to support children and young people.
The Betty Ann Ong Foundation also works to continue causes connected to her values, including support for children, seniors, and aviation-related initiatives. Her family has additionally advocated for flight attendant safety and mental health support.
25 Years Of Remembrance For Betty Ong
Ong’s story remains closely connected to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, where items from her career and a recording of her historic telephone call have been preserved. The memorial has also honored her birthday with a white rose placed beside her name.
Her brother Harry Ong continues to speak publicly about his sister and the importance of keeping her story alive.
As the United States marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks, Betty Ong’s actions remain an important part of aviation history, and a reminder of the crucial role airline crew can play during an emergency.
Her final moments aboard Flight 11 have become one of the most documented examples of courage by an airline employee during the attacks, Simple Flying reported.
Twenty-five years later, her name continues to be remembered by her family, the aviation community, and those who study the events of September 11.
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