Pilot on delayed flight buys pizza for 150 stranded passengers

Proving that not all heroes wear capes (but they could have epaulettes), a pilot in the US has stumped up for 30 pizzas for passengers on his delayed flight.

The United Airlines service from San Francisco to Houston was forced to divert to Albuquerque, New Mexico after a passenger suffered a medical emergency.

The crew then timed out their maximum duty hours, and needed to be replaced.

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Watch the video above.

While on the ground the airline handed out $US15 food and drink vouchers but due to the late arrival, all the restaurants were closed.

So while the 150 passengers waited, the pilot stepped forward to order stacks of pizzas.

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One flier took to TikTok to show him handing out the slices.

"Our pilot is absolutely amazing," wrote Tanya Stamos. "He felt so bad for the situation that he ordered 30 pizzas from a local pizza shop and had it delivered right to our gate."

She added that the pilot "made sure all 150 passengers ate before he made himself a plate".

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The plane eventually took off and landed into Houston at 2am (local time).

Stamos told Fox Digital that the pilot thanked everyone leaving for their patience: "As it was my turn to exit the plane, I shook his hand and thanked him.

"Everyone behind me then followed suit and shook his hand as well. It was a beautiful sight."

A United spokesperson told the New York Post that the airline "loves to see our pilots go above and beyond for our customers when the unexpected happens".