CHRISTINE and Paddy McGuinness are even prouder parents after their autistic children went on a plane for the first time.
The couple took to Instagram to share their delight that kids Leo, Penelope and Felicity joined them on their first holiday as a family.
They shared pictures of the kids waiting at the airport, and as they got on the plane.
Christine wrote: "We done it our first flight all together as a family and it went so well.
"We are immensely proud of Leo, Penelope and Felicity. Despite all of the extra obstacles our children have to deal with, they stepped well out of their comfort zone and they done it so well.
"This has been 6 years in the making, planning and dreaming for a family holiday.
"We started with a weekend in Southampton (we didn’t want to risk going abroad for the first time flying incase it went awful, we knew we could get a train home) but they done amazing, I don’t think it will be long until we have our first holiday abroad!
"This maybe be a ‘normal’ thing to do for most families but for ‘autism’ families like ours this is a huge achievement!
"Thank you @manairportuk @sou_airport @flybe for assisting and understanding our children’s additional needs we really are so grateful."
And in another post, she said: "This was it, the moment we waited 6 years for, boarding the airplane for the very first time!
"I wasn’t sure if my heart was going to stop with fear or burst with pride! ⠀
"There was some hesitation getting on but once they were in their seats they actually really enjoyed it!⠀
"I think our problem now is deciding where to go next?"
Paddy then praised the airline staff for making the journey go off without a hitch.
He said: "This was our amazing Captain and crew from @flybe.
"I didn’t get the Captains name but she let the kids have a tour of the cockpit and gave my little boy some Captain stripes from her shirt and let my daughter have one of her key rings.
"What a fantastic role model and the mini McGuinty’s were very impressed.
"The good Captain informed us that her husband actually flew us down to Southampton a few days earlier.
"Our first family flights by husband and wife pilots!!!!
"When we booked our flights online we mentioned our children’s additional needs and it was the best thing we did!
"The flight crew even turned down the noise of the tannoys and kept announcements to a minimal. "Thank you so much. PS I’ve not a clue who the bloke on the phone is?"
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