9/11: The generosity of Gander

Sep 10, 2025

Beverley Bass, the first female captain appointed by American Airlines, shares her unforgettable experience on September 11, 2001, while flying over the North Atlantic. She recounts how her flight was diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which suddenly doubled its population. The kindness of Gander's residents shone brightly as they provided food, shelter, and entertainment to nearly 7,000 stranded passengers without asking for anything in return. Beverley highlights the extraordinary humanity that emerged during this time of crisis and the lasting impact of these acts of generosity.

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ANECDOTE

Emergency Diversion Announcement

Beverley Bass announced they would land in Gander after US airspace closed and guided passengers calmly through the crisis.
She described making one of the hardest public announcements of her career while airborne over the North Atlantic.

ANECDOTE

Gander Filled Overnight

Beverley Bass recalled arriving at Gander to find airplanes packed like sardines and nearly 7,000 passengers on the ground in three hours.
She described passengers camping out overnight and locals delivering essentials and filling 2,000 prescriptions while people remained on planes.

ANECDOTE

Community Shelters And Meals

The next morning school buses and local liaisons moved passengers to improvised shelters like schools and churches across the region.
Beverley Bass said everyone received three hot meals a day for five days and shops told people to take what they needed free of charge.

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On 11 September, 2001, a small Canadian town called Gander became a haven for thousands of airline passengers and crew stranded after the 9/11 terror attacks.

The attacks on the World Trade Center had forced the closure of US airspace leaving many flights unable to land. Within hours, 38 planes with 7,000 passengers, had been diverted to Gander, effectively doubling the town's population. But what happened next showcased the extraordinary kindness and generosity of the Newfoundlanders.

For five days, local residents provided beds, food, medicine and clothing for those stranded during the crisis, and didn’t ask for a cent. They even put on music evenings, barbecues and canoe trips to keep their visitors entertained.

Beverley Bass, one of the plane captains, tells Jane Wilkinson about Gander’s extraordinary hospitality during one of the most traumatic events in modern history.

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(Photo: Passengers and crew at Gander airfield, 2001. Credit: Town of Gander)