PSA: Please Don’t Play Your Guitar & Sing On An Airplane

PSA: Please Don’t Play Your Guitar & Sing On An Airplane

86

I don’t know what exactly is going on here, but I’m happy I wasn’t on this flight

People sing religious songs on EasyJet flight

A video is going viral on social media that depicts an impromptu inflight performance on a recent EasyJet flight. In less than a day, the video has been viewed over 17 million times on Twitter alone. The video has the caption “Worshipping Jesus 30,000 Feet in The Air,” and it shows at least two people performing — one man is playing a guitar and singing, while another woman is singing as well.

Based on the video, it looks like some passengers were enjoying the performance, while others looked downright miserable.

The response on social media has also been mixed, with a majority of people reacting negatively to this. Ilhan Omar, the US Representative from Minnesota, even Tweeted about the video, and said the following:

“I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end?”

Some details about this performance aren’t known:

  • It’s clear that this was on a recent EasyJet flight (based on some passengers wearing masks, and some not), but we don’t know the route or date
  • It’s not clear to what extent this was approved by the crew; did the passengers just get up and start performing, did the crew give them permission in advance, or what?

Please no performing on planes…

There are two separate issues here — there’s the concept of performing in an enclosed space without people having an option to leave, and there’s the religious aspect to this.

On the most basic level, airplanes are confined spaces, and I think we all have a duty to be as respectful of one another as possible by exercising basic courtesy. That includes not being too loud, not smelling bad, respecting other peoples’ personal space, etc.

Unless every passenger is explicitly in favor of it, playing music on a plane is disrespectful to others, plain and simple:

  • No matter how talented you think you are (or even others think you are), other passengers didn’t sign up for an inflight performance, and don’t have a way to leave
  • While I support coronavirus restrictions being eased on planes, having people standing “over” you while singing maskless isn’t exactly a best practice in terms of keeping everyone safe
  • I’m sure the intent with singing was good, but forcing people to listen to something about your religious beliefs isn’t exactly respectful either

Bottom line

A video is going viral of an inflight musical performance on a recent EasyJet flight. In the video, you can see at least two people performing, and fellow passengers looked on with mixed emotions. I’d be curious to know if the crew was in on this, or if the passengers just did as they pleased.

What do you make of this inflight performance?

Conversations (86)
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  1. JOmon Guest

    PLAYING GUITAR ON AEROPLANE AT 300.00 FEET: JACK JENSZ, ILHAN OMAR, JESUS: A THEOLOGICAL RESPONSE
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoynwJhOeLY

  2. Anthony Ferguson Guest

    When I first heard about this I thought they spent half the flight singing, which would of course be obnoxious. Then it turns out they sang one song for 3-4 mins. Still annoying, but this would not have made international news if the singers weren't Christian. Buy some noise-cancelling headphones and find something else to complain about.

    1. lkmk Guest

      That's the thing, though. It wouldn't have been obnoxious if it were anyone else—Christian missionaries have a bad habit of being annoying.

  3. AVGeekHNL Member

    Just so glad that I was not on that flight. Please respect privacy and quiet time on the plane. If someone wants to play the guitar and sing, please do it at the airport, not on the plane.

    1. Reginald Gowland Guest

      But also not at the airport.
      Outside the airport.
      Far outside.
      Like, in your home far.

  4. CanuckinCT Guest

    Charter flight clearly.

  5. David Guest

    Channeling John Bulushi in Animal House...I gave my love a chicken that had no bone

  6. NIM Guest

    What a bunch of hypocrites. The saying...There's a time and a place for everything. Not for GOD, he is everywhere, I am thankful he is. You don't know who needed that song or singing but God did. If that plane was going down, you would be the first to say OH GOD! what's happening, help us. You would pray and cry out then. NO one calls on Satan your god to help them, because he...

    What a bunch of hypocrites. The saying...There's a time and a place for everything. Not for GOD, he is everywhere, I am thankful he is. You don't know who needed that song or singing but God did. If that plane was going down, you would be the first to say OH GOD! what's happening, help us. You would pray and cry out then. NO one calls on Satan your god to help them, because he doesn't and won't. You deny God now he will deny you later. There are two choices here, GOD or the devil, you can only serve one and deny the other. Heaven or Hell its that clear and sample.

    1. Eskimo Guest

      LOL, two choices here, GOD or the devil?

      So if I pick Ganesh, then Shiva is the devil. What about Rama or Vishnu?
      Wait, if there is one thing I learn from Marvel. Thor is god and Loki is the devil? That actually make sense. But what about Odin?

      LOL... two choices.

      Wait till you find out your significant other or your offspring is non-binary.

      LOL.

    2. lkmk Guest

      So God decided it was a good idea to annoy everyone on the flight? Sure, I guess that's got a good ROI.

  7. Hesther Guest

    Some people are singing and others clearly are not joining in, are watching or clearly not interested. It doesn’t appear as if the musician and singers asked permission of the crew and other passengers. Did everyone want to worship Jesus 30,000 miles in the air? I would say no. On behalf of a Jewish person, this looks like another group of clueless People who think the whole world accepts Jesus as their savior or must.

  8. Patrick Green Guest

    Unfortunate they where so inconsiderate of others very selfish no matter what reason, purpose or type of music.

  9. George Guest

    Would you be so critic if it was a group of gays or trans singling and even dancing. Or a group of religious Muslims praying in the plane, which happens a lot. Is it just another anti Christian bigotry. Stop the hate.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ George -- Yes, I would be equally critical if it were either of those groups.

    2. mbg Guest

      wait this has to be a joke lol if ANY non-christian was the performer or if ANY gay / trans person did this, I would genuinely be afraid they would be attacked. the ONLY reason the performers got away with this was BECAUSE they were christians

    3. Dominic Guest

      Next time I'm sitting next to you on a plane, I'm going to plug my portable speaker in, and you can hear all about my faith at max volume. Say a word and you're a bigot.

      Just stop, George. Please.

    4. Saint82 Guest

      I’m gay and I would never want a group of gays performing on a plane. This is not Christian bigotry you are the one who is hating.

    5. lkmk Guest

      The Australian cast of The Lion King performed on a flight once. I assume many of them were gay. It was still annoying as hell. I'd highly suggest you look at your persecution complex.

      Also, when do Muslims pray on planes, and do they pray loudly? I've never seen it.

  10. Anthony Guest

    I am amazed that disagreeable passengers would not summon the crew and ask them to stop. That's the logical step.
    I've seen the same on trains, and the conductor will stop the singing if one person complains.

    Not sure what really went on there as it could have easily been stopped.

    1. Russell Guest

      Maybe there was some confusion, that this was a U2 flight , not a U2 concert.

  11. Always Flying Somewhere Guest

    ....because having your seatmate next to you play shoot-em-up video games without headphones is oh so much better.

    1. Shayla Guest

      @alwaysflyingsomewhere
      Can't imagine that scenario not being promptly shutdown. Airlines still provide , no?

    2. Shayla Guest

      @alwaysflyingsomewhere
      Can't imagine that scenario not being promptly shutdown. Airlines still provide headphones, no?

  12. Alian Guest

    Singaporean dude apparently he got approval from captain based on article below

    'Inappropriate and honestly scary': Singaporean man gets flak for conducting Christian worship on flight

    http://www.asiaone.com/singapore/inappropriate-and-honestly-scary-singaporean-man-gets-flak-conducting-christian-worship?utm_source=mobileapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=native-share

  13. matthewtravels Guest

    Probably the first time I would have actively been praying for a decompression.

  14. Mary S Guest

    The issue has nothing to do with religion.
    He could have been playing jazz/rock/etc.

    He is still an a-hole.
    The crew should have stopped it immediately.

  15. RF Guest

    Pax should all start ringing the FA call button.

  16. Greg Guest

    My primary objection is that it sucked. The performance was embarrassingly bad. I’ll listen to almost anything for a minute or two if it’s good.

    1. Bob Guest

      It boils down to 1 person thinking "I'm doing something well intentioned and good therefore everyone will love it"
      That's also what Vladimir is thinking these days.

  17. TravelinWilly Diamond

    This is even worse than when Helen Reddy played her guitar and sang to Linda Blair in Airport ‘75.

    1. Unhoeflich Diamond

      That ain't no way to treat a lady

  18. derek Guest

    There is a passive aggressive way to deal with this. Sing off key, loudly, and make up non-sensical lyrics similar to the real lyrics. As an example, O Canada.

    O Canada, our home and native land
    True puppy love in all their sins command
    We are brothers and sisters
    All lives matter to the great!

  19. Nishi Guest

    I always laugh when I see one of my fellow Asians become one of these Jesus freaks. I don't know why, but it feels like a larger percentage of Asians are really weak minded and get easily brainwashed. I've seen it happen so many times in my family.

  20. Ang Guest

    If this wasn't a charter the pax involved should all be banned for life. Forcing religious views on fellow passengers all while blocking the aisles causing a safety risk shouldn't be tolerated.

    1. Bob Guest

      It was a charter. Ben and you are total morons contributing to fake news. Great job.

    2. Colby Guest

      Bob, what the hell is wrong with you? You weren’t invited and nobody called for you, girl.

      Think it’d be best if you’d go sit down now with the other toddlers in America who haven’t had their nap yet...

  21. Steward Guest

    Imagine if I decide to sing worship song in Arabic or any non-English language. I bet y'all they'll strap me to the chair and duct taped my mouth.
    Or imagine if I i see my watch and realize it's time to pray and decide to recite Adhan in the plane. I bet they'll jump me immediately.
    This obsession to worship in public need to stop. Whatever the religion is. There's time and there's place for everything.

  22. harry lowrey Guest

    I'm a Christ follower but think this was being extremely disrespectful to those trapped in the aircraft who didn't sign up for a show regardless whom it is.

    We are told to share the gospel with unbelievers , we were never commanded to lock unbelievers up in a plane and sing out of tune songs to unbelievers pretending a song about God is about the God of the Bible.

    1. TravelinWilly Diamond

      “I'm a Christ follower…”

      Christ who?

      Is he hot?

  23. Jacob Guest

    It appears that the original source is this Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/jackjenszjr_/

    I believe the comments about this being in the UK are incorrect. Based on the Instagram feed, the man is an American currently traveling in Europe for aid work, and the flight was likely KRK-BSL on easyJet on or around April 8-9.

    easyJet's policy is:
    > Following the removal of mandatory mask wearing in a number of countries, we have reviewed our mask...

    It appears that the original source is this Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/jackjenszjr_/

    I believe the comments about this being in the UK are incorrect. Based on the Instagram feed, the man is an American currently traveling in Europe for aid work, and the flight was likely KRK-BSL on easyJet on or around April 8-9.

    easyJet's policy is:
    > Following the removal of mandatory mask wearing in a number of countries, we have reviewed our mask policy onboard and have taken the decision that, from 27 March 2022, on flights where masks are no longer legally required at both ends of the route, we will not mandate customers and crew to wear masks onboard the flight.

    Both Poland and Switzerland have dropped their mask mandates, so per easyJet policy, KRK-BSL also does not require masks.

    1. tipsyinmadras Diamond

      Looked at the IG feed - these folks we’re in Poland harassing people on trains too, presumably due to the big influx in Ukrainian refugees. Absolutely abhorrent religious wingnuts.

  24. Dan Alleva Guest

    Forced? Ride Eric Adams NYC subways. Your forced o hear religion, racist comments about being of European Decent, and people begging for money. Shame the county as a whole has gone completely down hill.

    1. Marc Runkel Guest

      You know the mayor of New York has little to no say over the operation of the MTA right?

    2. TravelinWilly Guest

      “Shame the county as a whole has gone completely down hill.”

      Thank the dotard for that…

    3. tipsyinmadras Diamond

      I do regularly ride the NYC subways and while I have seen plenty of dancers, mariachis, even the odd barbershop quartet, I thankfully never seen anything like this crap. Also, I’m a pasty white guy and have never heard “racist comments about being of European decent” - assume this something Sean Hannity told you happens in big scary cities.

    4. Shayla Guest

      It happened on Guliani's subway too. And unlike a plane, people on a train can move between cars be they passengers or the offending parties. Hardly the same, but good try.

    5. Lune Diamond

      Yeah, except most panhandlers / buskers on a train stick around for a minute or two and then move to the next compartment. While I agree that intimidating or threatening behavior / language is unacceptable even for a minute, I generally don't begrudge some guy trying to make a few bucks as long as he keeps it quick.

      And if you really can't tolerate it, you can move to another compartment too.

      Not the same...

      Yeah, except most panhandlers / buskers on a train stick around for a minute or two and then move to the next compartment. While I agree that intimidating or threatening behavior / language is unacceptable even for a minute, I generally don't begrudge some guy trying to make a few bucks as long as he keeps it quick.

      And if you really can't tolerate it, you can move to another compartment too.

      Not the same as being in a plane for a few hours.

      Regardless, what's your point? That there are *other* places in this world where people can be rude and annoying? Gee, thanks for the insight...

  25. Erez Guest

    This is heartwarming. I am Jewish and I have no problems wishing my Christian friends happy Easter my Muslim neighbor Ramadan Karim. Respect their traditions. But I can promise u that it is not reciprocal. There were cases where an airplane was diverted because an orthodox jew wore tefilin. Some flight attendant thought it was a bomb.

    1. Brian L. Guest

      People were f*cked up before TikTok (or any other social media), it just made it more obvious.

  26. Donna Diamond

    For decades, I’ve put up with people’s obnoxious, poorly behaved kids on planes, playing loud video games, screaming, kicking the back of my seat, running up and down the aisles, I suppose this is no worse. Both are wrong and the adult(s) behind all these behaviors feel righteous indignation if you aren’t “on board” with their disturbances. The FA crews are just as much to blame.

  27. Julian Guest

    It's funny how societal norms don't matter if you are doing "god's work". One day you're highjacking the cabin with your annoying songs, the next day your highjacking the same plane and flying it into a tower.

  28. Justlanded Guest

    Was it Norman Greenbaum's 1969 song "Spirit In The Sky'?

  29. beachmouse Member

    This kind of thing and people who want to swap seats are what the big visible noise-cancelling headphones are for on the plane.

  30. Never In Doubt Guest

    “ I don’t know what exactly is going on here”

    I’ll go out on a limb and say CLICKS!

  31. Greg Guest

    I’m sure you’d be in favor of people singing Ukrainian songs at 30k feet.

  32. tht Guest

    Ignorant behaviour. There's still a mask mandate in the US. It may not have been in the US, but still ignorant bahaviour.

    1. Hackintosh Guest

      Why would a “rule” in the US have anything to do with this?

    2. tht Guest

      "It may not have been in the US, but still ignorant bahaviour."

      That's what I wrote.

  33. Bruce Guest

    I was going to say that this only happens in America but in America every passenger would have joined along in singing and then they would have tried to hijack the plane and take themselves up to heaven.

  34. René Guest

    What about being "forced" to listen to AA flight attendants pitch poor credit card offers on every single flight?

    1. BB Guest

      Literally every major US airline

  35. DaninMCI Guest

    Most of the people complaining are doing so because it was Christians doing this. Notice the passengers aren't masked so covid isn't the issue. I would rather people not sing on any flight I'm on. I don't care if it's the Southwest FA's, The St Brendan's College Irish kids, the Lion King cast, or even Billy Idol just don't do it. It does make me wonder if Cat Stevens is still on the no-fly list?

  36. Matt Guest

    Being stuck listening to amateur performance of any type on a plane is my nightmare, my purgatory.

  37. Steven E Guest

    As the entire travelling public wear headphones as no one engages with each other any longer I’m sure it isnt a problem to ignore and switch off - I always wonder who the crew will assist or save in a emergency - certainly not the morons who have tuned out of life

  38. Eskimo Guest

    @Ilhan Omar
    Imagine doing this on Saudia's prayer room.

    LOL, Democrat representative these days need to broaden their knowledge not just troll around with the race card and liberal utopia.
    I wonder how AOC would respond. That should be worth watching.

    1. Dempseyzdad Diamond

      I would take the Kumbaya singer over sitting next to you. Tell us you're a without saying you're a .

    2. lkmk Guest

      You don't think there's a reason they have that race card?

  39. JoePro Guest

    Being obnoxious is being obnoxious. This is only going viral because there's a religious component we can all freak out about.

    A few weeks ago the guy behind me played some video on his phone full blast for half of the 2 hour flight, but national attention it did not get.

  40. Ray Guest

    Wait wait wait, easyJet? You’re telling me they’re likely BRITS? Oh, I’m so ashamed. I for sure thought they were flying from Utah to Idaho or some other bible belt state.

    On behalf of all decent, keeping-to-ourselves Brit, I apologise.

    1. MoTo Guest

      Mormons do crazy stuff, but they wouldn't do this. These are evangelical nuts.

  41. skimegheath Diamond

    The Australian cast of the Lion King performed on their flight once (it is on YouTube). It was before takeoff. I do realise that there is a big difference!

    1. Eskimo Guest

      Is it really a big difference?
      Something will always offend someone.

      If they wanted me to see Lion King live performance, give me free tickets. Let me decide. I can turn off my IFE, I can go to theater, but I can't kick the cast of Lion King off my flight.

      So the PSA should be: Please mind your own business and respect privacy.

  42. Icarus Guest

    Forcing religion on anyone is unacceptable and the crew should have absolutely stopped it. I can’t think of anything worse than being stuck in an aircraft with happy clapping Jesus people.

    1. George Guest

      Hmm what about “being raised by happy clapping Jesus parents”

    2. Eskimo Guest

      Hmm what about “being adopted by happy clapping Jesus parents”

    3. Icarus Guest

      Even worse. Religion should be a choice, and certainly expression of it prohibited in confined areas such as an aircraft, unless it’s chartered to a group or in a religious place such as a church. This kind of thing in the video makes me want to throw up.

    4. JoePro Guest

      You can't? Nice life!
      In a week I'll be in E wearing a mask for 15 hours. Give me 2 minutes of sucky religious music any day of the week.

    5. HereandNow Guest

      TO ALL YOU HATERS!
      If you took the time to notice there were quite a few people standing and singing along and PERHAPS one or two might have been out of tune, we can't all be perfect! However this might be a college spring breaker group traveling together part of or maybe a mission group going out and doing good in the world unlike you people with nothing but hate on your tongue. I'm...

      TO ALL YOU HATERS!
      If you took the time to notice there were quite a few people standing and singing along and PERHAPS one or two might have been out of tune, we can't all be perfect! However this might be a college spring breaker group traveling together part of or maybe a mission group going out and doing good in the world unlike you people with nothing but hate on your tongue. I'm sure you've heard the expression LIVE AND LET LIVE, IT'S A GOOD MOTTO FOR YOU TO LIVE AND STAND BY, AND IF SOMETHING IS SO UNWORTHY OF YOUR EARS PUT ON YOUR HEADPHONES OR PLUG YOUR DAMN EARS!!! May God bless you anyway

    6. Lune Diamond

      I'm not a Christian, but regardless, it's not the religious part that gets me. The expectation is that people are quiet in a plane. Even when speaking, people try to keep their voices down. I don't care if half the plane is your group. The other half isn't.

      The onus is not on me to plug my damn ears. It's on you to keep noise down as much as possible.

      That said, let's see how...

      I'm not a Christian, but regardless, it's not the religious part that gets me. The expectation is that people are quiet in a plane. Even when speaking, people try to keep their voices down. I don't care if half the plane is your group. The other half isn't.

      The onus is not on me to plug my damn ears. It's on you to keep noise down as much as possible.

      That said, let's see how long Live and Let Live lasts when a group of young Muslim men decide to stand up and start singing Allah ho Akhbar! on a plane...

    7. Your God Does Not Exist Guest

      Both you and the guy on the plane share the characteristic of being overly prideful - filled with the same arrogant christian privilege (which luckily for the rest of the world is quickly turning-away other believers - and potential believers - from your hypocritical, violent-prone, child-molesting superstitious mythology). First this asshole travels to the Ukraine to proselytize to those who are at their weakest, like the parasite that he is (what you can "doing good...

      Both you and the guy on the plane share the characteristic of being overly prideful - filled with the same arrogant christian privilege (which luckily for the rest of the world is quickly turning-away other believers - and potential believers - from your hypocritical, violent-prone, child-molesting superstitious mythology). First this asshole travels to the Ukraine to proselytize to those who are at their weakest, like the parasite that he is (what you can "doing good in the world," and then he bugs the shit out of people just trying to relax on an airplane flight. Open the airlock and toss him out! Let your god save him, if he's so holy.
      Oh, and next time you don't like someone commenting on a story like this, I suggest you ignore it and move on. LIVE AND LET LIVE, you know! May Satan bless your underpants.

    8. Your God Does Not Exist Guest

      *edit* (what you CALL "doing good..."

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Icarus Guest

Forcing religion on anyone is unacceptable and the crew should have absolutely stopped it. I can’t think of anything worse than being stuck in an aircraft with happy clapping Jesus people.

10
Mary S Guest

The issue has nothing to do with religion. He could have been playing jazz/rock/etc. He is still an a-hole. The crew should have stopped it immediately.

5
Dempseyzdad Diamond

I would take the Kumbaya singer over sitting next to you. Tell us you're a without saying you're a .

4
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