Celebrity pilot for Alaska Airlines sings "Swani" song; retires after 36 years
SEATTLE - After 36 years flying for Alaska Airlines, Captain Michel Swanigan "Swani" is retiring.
Captain Swanigan says becoming a pilot was his childhood dream. Over the course of his career, he's logged more than 20,000 hours in the cockpit and spent 6,000 hours training other pilots in the simulator.
His final flight was April 24th, aboard the Russell Wilson airplane... from Tuscon to Seattle. Wilson even surprised the celebrity pilot during his final voyage.
Captain Swanigan and Wilson struck up a friendship and chemistry after filming several commercials for Alaska Airlines.
In retirement, Captain Swanigan says he plans to become a professional public speaker, write, play more golf and spend time with his family.