Shane Spencer reacted on this
I don’t quite have the words to express what it means to see this tribute to my mum from Vueling.
I have always been incredibly proud that my mother helped found an airline — but perhaps even more special is seeing that, more than 20 years later, Vueling is still flying high today and still remembers the people who helped make it happen.
They say aviation gets into your blood, and in my case I think that really is true.
From around the age of five, I knew I wanted to work in aviation. Growing up with Mum, airlines and aircraft were simply part of life, and that childhood fascination never left me.
But I definitely inherited Mum’s stubborn streak too!
When I was 16, she offered me the opportunity to move to Barcelona and work alongside her. Naturally, being 16 and determined to do things my own way, I said no. Instead, I left school and joined another airline, determined to make my own way in the industry.
Looking back now, I’m actually glad I did. I built my own career, made my own mistakes, learned from some incredible people and eventually found myself working for an airline that, as a five-year-old boy fascinated by aeroplanes, I could only have dreamed of.
Yet Mum’s influence has been there throughout it all. Her determination, her passion for aviation, her belief in people and her willingness to do things differently gave me so many of the values I carry into my own career today.
Behind the airline founder, the achievements, the stories and the adventures, though, to me she was simply Mum.
Seeing her remembered not only for what she helped build, but for her warmth, generosity and ability to connect with people means more to me than I can say.
To everyone at Vueling, past and present, thank you for remembering Sue and for keeping her place in the Vueling story alive.
I know she would have been incredibly touched — and immensely proud to see something she helped create all those years ago continuing to fly today. 💛
Proud of you, Mum. Always. ✈️💛
Shane Spencer reacted on this
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sue Smith, one of the people who believed in Vueling when the company was still in its very early days.
Her vision, enthusiasm and commitment helped to turn an idea into reality and to lay the foundations of a project that would go on to become the company we know today.
But beyond everything she helped to build, those who knew her remember how she made the people around her feel, with her warmth, her generosity and a special gift for connecting with and caring for others.
Today we remember her legacy with affection and gratitude.
💛 Thank you, Sue.