Taking a commercial airline flight is rarely seen as thrilling—especially when passengers are stuck in cramped coach seats with barely enough legroom to stretch. Entertainment often comes in the form of a movie, a book, or endlessly scrolling on a phone—if Wi-Fi permits. However, every now and then, passengers make headlines through their antics, creating viral airplane videos that take the internet by storm.
One such passenger, Michael Tiano, decided to combat in-flight boredom with a social media experiment unlike most. During a February 2021 American Airlines flight, Tiano used the seatback screen in front of him to create a group chat with other passengers—essentially inviting the whole cabin into a digital conversation.
By leveraging the in-flight messaging system, he manually entered the seat numbers of others on board, adding them all to a single group chat thread. Whether they wanted to join or not, passengers soon began seeing messages pop up mid-flight.
@michael_tianoThese people have had enough… #travel #plane #fyp #explore #trending♬ Fast – Sueco the Child
Tiano recorded his stunt and uploaded the footage to TikTok, encouraging viewers to “Get on a plane and make a group chat with the whole plane.” His video showed snippets of the chat in action, ranging from light-hearted greetings like “hi” and drink requests to annoyed replies such as “Leave me alone.” While reactions were mixed among passengers, the TikTok community had a different take.
The clip quickly gained traction and now boasts more than 1.8 million views and over 200,000 likes—proving that viral airplane videos can take on just about any form, even from something as simple as digital small talk.
Yet Tiano’s viral fame pales in comparison to another airborne TikTok moment. On a Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Hawaii, TikTok user Julia Hansen captured something far more dramatic—a surprise birth at 35,000 feet.
Hansen’s video, posted on April 29, 2021, exploded on the platform with nearly 16 million views in just a few days. In the short clip, she announces, “A baby was just born on this plane,” followed by the crew confirming the news to the cabin. Applause breaks out as the new mother is wheeled down the aisle, with the newborn’s first cries audible in the background.
Such in-flight events, while rare, reveal the unpredictable nature of air travel—and the power of social media to amplify even the most fleeting moments. From digital group chats to surprise deliveries, these experiences offer a glimpse into the unscripted reality of commercial flying.
For those who prefer peace, privacy, and a break from the unexpected, corporate air charters are a growing alternative. Flex Air Charters offers private jet and helicopter charters that let travelers enjoy a distraction-free journey without the surprise group chats, viral stunts, or midair labor announcements.
In today’s world of social sharing, viral airplane videos are redefining how people view air travel—but not everyone wants their next flight to be TikTok-famous. For a quieter, more secure alternative, private aviation might just be the perfect choice.
Photo Credit: Getty Images