Man Enlists 40 Passengers on His Flight to Pull Off Epic Proposal at Houston Airport: 'I Was a Nervous Wreck'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jack Lorey proposes to his girlfriend Erica Bonilla.Photo:Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines

Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines

Jack Lorey surprised his girlfriend, Erica Bonilla, with an incredible airport proposal as he got off the plane in Houston on Friday, Oct. 11The couple have been in a long-distance relationship for two years — flying between Nashville and Houston monthly to see one another — so Lorey decided to get United Airlines involved with his plans to pop the question"Leading up to the day, I was a nervous wreck," Lorey tells PEOPLE of planning the big momentOne woman got the surprise of her life after her boyfriend flew to meet her in Houston.On the evening of Friday, Oct. 11, Jack Lorey — a billing specialist and vision technician from Nashville — planned an incredible proposal as he landed in Houston to start a new chapter with his girlfriend, Erica Bonilla.With the help of United Airlines, Lorey popped the question at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH); an airport that has played a big part in the couple’s long-distance relationship.Jack Lorey proposes to his girlfriend Erica Bonilla.Daniel Arizpe/United AirlinesThe pair flew monthly between Nashville and Houston to see one another, before Lorey decided to propose right on the tarmac — with the help of his fellow United passengers. As each traveler left the flight, they handed Bonilla a rose.The last rose was in Lorey’s hand, before he got down on one knee and asked Bonilla to marry him. The adorable moment was captured in multiple images, as Lorey was seen placing the ring on his wife-to-be’s finger and posing with a basket of red roses.“Leading up to the day, I was a nervous wreck, I sent an email on a whim to United and to have gotten their help to make this proposal happen is so cool. I am beyond grateful,” Lorey toldKPRC Houston.Jack Lorey gets ready to propose to his girlfriend Erica Bonilla.Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines"Travel is a huge part of our relationship, it’s what’s kept us together all this time and Friday’s flight was our last long-distance flight, the weekend marks the start of Erica moving to Tennessee with me, and on top of that, it’s Erica’s birthday weekend!" he added.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Lorey first met Bonilla when he was in Florida attending a friend’s wedding, while she was on vacation with her family. “It was a classic story, we saw each other from across the bar so I went and introduced myself,” he told KPRC Houston.“We stayed in loose contact for a long time until she flew to Nashville to visit me for the first time. We clicked right away and both knew this was special,” Lorey added.Erica Bonilla holds a red rose during Jack Lorey’s proposal.Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines"That loose contact became constant and the visits back and forth never stopped. Going down to Florida for that wedding was actually an unexpected last minute trip, but I thank God everyday for sending me," said Lorey.Lorey and Bonilla have had countless adventures together since they met, from rodeos to skydiving and couldn’t be more thankful to United Airlines for helping him pull off such a surprise.“Not long after Erica and I started dating, I broke my ankle pretty badly and needed a couple surgeries. I couldn’t put any weight at all on that leg for six or seven months and I didn’t know if traveling would be possible,” he told the publication.Jack Lorey and Erica Bonilla with United Airlines crew members.Daniel Arizpe/United AirlinesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“United was extremely accommodating during that time and I was able to fly without a problem. We already loved United, but helping me make this proposal special for Erica has definitely built a lifelong loyalty from our family,” Lorey said.

One woman got the surprise of her life after her boyfriend flew to meet her in Houston.

On the evening of Friday, Oct. 11, Jack Lorey — a billing specialist and vision technician from Nashville — planned an incredible proposal as he landed in Houston to start a new chapter with his girlfriend, Erica Bonilla.

With the help of United Airlines, Lorey popped the question at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH); an airport that has played a big part in the couple’s long-distance relationship.

Jack Lorey proposes to his girlfriend Erica Bonilla.Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines

The pair flew monthly between Nashville and Houston to see one another, before Lorey decided to propose right on the tarmac — with the help of his fellow United passengers. As each traveler left the flight, they handed Bonilla a rose.

The last rose was in Lorey’s hand, before he got down on one knee and asked Bonilla to marry him. The adorable moment was captured in multiple images, as Lorey was seen placing the ring on his wife-to-be’s finger and posing with a basket of red roses.

“Leading up to the day, I was a nervous wreck, I sent an email on a whim to United and to have gotten their help to make this proposal happen is so cool. I am beyond grateful,” Lorey toldKPRC Houston.

Jack Lorey gets ready to propose to his girlfriend Erica Bonilla.Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines

“Travel is a huge part of our relationship, it’s what’s kept us together all this time and Friday’s flight was our last long-distance flight, the weekend marks the start of Erica moving to Tennessee with me, and on top of that, it’s Erica’s birthday weekend!” he added.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Lorey first met Bonilla when he was in Florida attending a friend’s wedding, while she was on vacation with her family. “It was a classic story, we saw each other from across the bar so I went and introduced myself,” he told KPRC Houston.

“We stayed in loose contact for a long time until she flew to Nashville to visit me for the first time. We clicked right away and both knew this was special,” Lorey added.

Erica Bonilla holds a red rose during Jack Lorey’s proposal.Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines

“That loose contact became constant and the visits back and forth never stopped. Going down to Florida for that wedding was actually an unexpected last minute trip, but I thank God everyday for sending me,” said Lorey.

Lorey and Bonilla have had countless adventures together since they met, from rodeos to skydiving and couldn’t be more thankful to United Airlines for helping him pull off such a surprise.

“Not long after Erica and I started dating, I broke my ankle pretty badly and needed a couple surgeries. I couldn’t put any weight at all on that leg for six or seven months and I didn’t know if traveling would be possible,” he told the publication.

Jack Lorey and Erica Bonilla with United Airlines crew members.Daniel Arizpe/United Airlines

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“United was extremely accommodating during that time and I was able to fly without a problem. We already loved United, but helping me make this proposal special for Erica has definitely built a lifelong loyalty from our family,” Lorey said.

source: people.com