LOVE was in the air for a Wellington couple last week as an in-flight proposal during a departure to Malaga left them on cloud nine.

On August 6 Chris Izzett, 29, handed over a carefully worded message to the cabin crew with the request that it be read out over the aircraft's PA system during the flight.

Marie Gooding, 29, sitting comfortably in seat 14D, was unaware that her partner was planning the airborne engagement, but the message, alerting her to the fact the young gentleman sitting next to her had a question to ask, was willingly read out by Flybe captain, Stan Wood.

Marie accepted and the couple spent the rest of the flight enjoying champagne courtesy of the crew to celebrate their engagement.

Marie, who had no idea the big question was coming, was lost for words.

"The pilot made an announcement and said there was a young man thinking long and hard about asking his girlfriends to marry him and I was sitting there thinking, 'how exciting'," said Marie.

"When I realised it was for me I just started giggling and then Chris got down on one knee and I couldn't say anything - I was speechless.

"I gave him a hug and he said 'is that a yes' and I said yes and everyone started cheering.

Chris said: "I thought it was a novel idea and would be nice having a captivated audience.

"It was really cool kicking the holiday off like that and now I am really looking forward to spending the rest of my life with Marie."

Captain Stan Wood said: "We are delighted and privileged to play a part in Chris's plan. They make a lovely couple and everyone at Flybe wishes them all the happiness in the world for their future together."