As a kind gesture, an aeroplane passenger has penned a letter to her pilots thanking them for a safe flight.

After the seemingly deliberate crash of a Germanwings jet in the French Alps, Bethanie realised her airmen and women might be stressed.

She felt the need to “reach out” and “extend a compassionate hand”.

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Across the world, pilots have been plagued by questions about their mental suitability to fly after Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz allegedly ditched flight 9525 into a mountainside.

“I understand an event so horrific as this one affects those with your responsibility more than others, and maybe sometimes a kind word, random but heartfelt, can make a difference,” Bethanie wrote.

“Thank you for taking me home. Thank you for doing so safely.

“I’ve had a wonderful flight and hope you have too.”

British pilot Jai Dillon shared the letter on social media.

He confirmed to The New Daily that one of his colleagues, whose flight and airline cannot be named because of aviation security rules, received the note from a passenger.

“You make the excitement I feel now to see my family possible. I hope you get to see your families soon,” the passenger wrote.

“You’re making a massive difference and you’re the reason I can smile tonight.”