AI Image
Rock bands perform on Southwest flight during FAA ground stop
New York Post • • general
Key Points:
- Passengers on a Southwest flight from LAX to Orlando experienced an impromptu concert by rock bands Hoobastank, Simple Plan, and The Used during a nationwide FAA-mandated ground stop of all flights.
- The musicians, en route to perform at the Vans Warped Tour 2026 in Florida, turned the delay into a fan experience by performing hits such as "The Reason," "All That I’ve Got," and "I’m Just a Kid" aboard the plane.
- The nationwide grounding, lifted around 8:15 p.m. ET, caused thousands of cancellations and delays, impacting the Vans Warped Tour schedule with some bands canceling and others adjusting their travel plans.
- Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman announced schedule changes including extended sets and rescheduling to accommodate affected bands, with some traveling by van from distant cities.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated investigators are examining whether a contractor error or faulty router caused the nationwide flight grounding, which led to over 4,400 cancellations and delays each across the US as of Saturday.
