On November 13, 2026, passengers aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Florida experienced an impromptu concert featuring Hoobastank, Simple Plan, and The Used.
The surprise performances occurred during a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop, offering a rare moment of levity for travelers caught in the widespread air travel disruption.
- The surprise performances, which included sets by Hoobastank, Simple Plan, The Used, and LØLØ, were part of the airline’s “Live at 35” music series.
- The bands were en route to the Vans Warped Tour 2026 stop in Orlando, scheduled for this weekend at the Camping World Stadium Campus.
- While the FAA ground stop caused significant delays across the U.S., this specific flight managed to depart just before the restriction was fully enacted, according to press materials.
The “Live at 35” program, a long-standing initiative by Southwest Airlines to bring pop-up musical acts to the cabin, took an unexpected turn when the bands began their sets at 35,000 feet. Hoobastank’s Doug Robb and Dan Estrin performed acoustic versions of their hits, including “The Reason” and “Crawling in the Dark,” as confirmed by social media footage shared by passengers and the Warped Tour’s official Instagram account.
Simple Plan also contributed to the mid-air stage, performing their 2002 track “I’m Just A Kid,” while The Used delivered a performance of their single “The Taste of Ink.” Singer LØLØ, who was also on the flight, noted the serendipity of the moment on Instagram, stating, “Every plane was grounded today, but the emo gods made sure this one flew,” as reported by E! News.
The convergence of these specific acts on a Southwest flight was part of the band’s travel to the Vans Warped Tour.
| Artist | Primary Song Performed | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Hoobastank | “The Reason” | “Live at 35” Activation |
| Simple Plan | “I’m Just A Kid” | En route to Warped Tour |
| The Used | “The Taste of Ink” | En route to Warped Tour |
While the performances went viral for passengers, the November 13 FAA ground stop continues to frustrate the general public. As reported by TODAY, the contrast between the stranded thousands across the U.S. and the atmosphere on this specific flight sparked social media discussion, with many users expressing "fomo" regarding the surprise sets.
The bands are expected to continue their scheduled programming at the Vans Warped Tour Orlando stop this weekend. For those who missed the mid-air spectacle, the upcoming performances at Camping World Stadium Campus will serve as the primary opportunity to see these acts in a more traditional live setting.
