Once-in-a-lifetime trip for Air Canada Captain and his family

Pilots have the unique opportunity of being able to be in command of a flight carrying family members but an Air Canada pilot recently had a once-in-a-lifetime experience that he won't soon forget.

On May 10, Captain Murray Garrison was in command of flight AC891, a Boeing 777 from Rome to Toronto, with some extremely precious cargo in the back – his 94-year-old mom and every woman in his family.

The eight members of the Garrison family, representing three generations, were on their way home after a week-long Mediterranean cruise that was a gift from the family matriarch, Mrs. Laura Garrison, 94.

"Mom is over the moon happy that I will be their operating Captain. Although I've flown everyone in my family at one time or another, I've never flown them together all at the same time. It is indeed an honour and a privilege for me," Captain Garrison said.

Travelling has long been a family passion, Captain Garrison said, with his father being a travel journalist who would crisscross the globe with his mother by his side.

Mrs. Garrison kept that love of travel alive even after her husband passed away on May 1, 2009, going on an African Safari on her 90th birthday four years ago.

To honour the memory of her husband, Mrs. Garrison decided that on the 10th anniversary of his passing she would treat the women in the family to a Regent Cruise from Venice to Rome, with several other stops along the way.

Along for this memorable journey were Mrs. Garrison's three daughters, Carolyn Garrison, Terri Garrison and Catherine Lavender, as well as Heidi Garrison, Captain Garrison's wife, and Mrs. Garrison's three grand-daughters, MacKenzie Boyd-Garrison, Justine Shackleton and Jamie Goodman.

"Mom wanted to do something for the Garrison girls. Dad would have been very proud," Captain Garrison said.

Air Canada would like to thank Massimiliano Ciprelli, the corporate photographer for the Rome Airport Authority for taking pictures to mark this occasion. You can see more of his work on InstagramExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines..