Man Gets Entire Plane to Himself After 18-Hour Delay

Phil Stringer was booked on an American Airlines flight from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Charlotte, North Carolina, that he says was delayed for 18 hours. When they did finally call his flight, he was the only one who showed up. During the two-hour journey, the flight attendants gave Phil Stringer their undivided personal attention. It comes as thousands of other passengers are experiencing terrible travel experiences due to storms. Inside Edition's Steven Fabian has more.

[@NJDJ1986]

Dude waited 18 hours for his flight, & he's got the plane to himself! That's a serious dedication there!!

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

And yet still a nightmare waiting 18 hours is unreal.

[@summertimeeebby]

He looks like Justin Timberlake a little bit

[@eightohthreefilms]

npc comment

[@NJDJ1986]

@@eightohthreefilms bruhhhh 💀💀💀💀💀 racist!

[@enriquealvarez6145]

​@@eightohthreefilmsnpc reply

[@loganmalough2379]

It’s every passenger’s dream to have the whole plane for themselves

[@carbonking53]

I was on a Nashville to Minneapolis 5:40am flight once with my cousin and it was us and four other people. Two of them were other airlines' crew members commuting to Minneapolis to start their flight workday. We all just sacked out flat in full row all to ourselves.

[@javiruiz8365]

Not me!! I would have an anxiety attack!

[@maxfrax333]

No it's not - I don't think it's a good sign and would make me very nervous knowing I was the only one on a plane. No thanks!

[@maxfrax333]

@@javiruiz8365 ME TOO!!!

[@maxfrax333]

@@jungkookiee8742 Oh, I don't think that's his reason for an anxiety attack.

[@imakeplaylists159]

The fact that he made friends with the crew is so wholesome 😂

[@yemaster9000]

"friends"

[@Salas83149]

@@yemaster9000😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@fredfrancium]

The number exchanging part is another level

[@blazed85]

Who else is he gonna talk to?

[@roxydzey]

the fact that he got their phone numbers hits differently tho.. they didnt have connection to text in the air, so i guess one or some of the girls attendants gave him a number for if you know what i mean lmao

[@searchanddiscover]

every flight i've been on was overbooked, this man is living the dream that we all want when flying.

[@Hex_mommymilkers]

No one cares tho

[@itz.meNalli]

@@Hex_mommymilkers because you haven’t been on fight it okay you will be on one sooner or later !

[@douba_plusa]

@@Hex_mommymilkers I care

[@randomworld4662]

I first time hear overbook do you mean th passenger set on each other

[@rgrobinsonxoxo]

@@randomworld4662no it’s a chance you may not get to fly even if you paid for a ticket. The airline over booked the flight. Why? Idk honestly but it’s pretty stupid

[@aom808]

Customer service became superb when the employees outnumber the customer 🤣

[@mystorey]

0:57 You mean this? It looked so wrong🤣 -BDSM-

[@digdorsigoswami9430]

Monopsony

[@michaeljordan5630]

Patience truly has it virtues

[@chrissiec2123]

I was just thinking this!

[@azriazman6590]

For some people

[@travisc254]

He's Dumb af when you realize everyone else took their $400+ PLUS another plane ticket AND usually a night(s) at a hotel. Dedication or something else that rhymes 🤷

[@airgunningyup]

@@travisc254 who said all the other passengers were compensated , i have not heard that anywhere.

[@Andystarrr56]

​@@travisc254and where's the proof they got that?

[@Eli-ek8fy]

I wish I had a flight like that

[@loganmalough2379]

Me too. No crying babies, no crazy Karen’s, no passengers kicking my seat or farting next to me.

[@swisscoffee3717]

get a private jet

[@user-wh9dy2wu3l]

@@swisscoffee3717 You say it like it’s easy

[@Max-js1mx]

​@@swisscoffee3717me to homeless people "just buy a house"

[@GamingGamer22]

Would you wait 18 hours for a flight like that

[@College.is.a.ripoff]

This happened to me in 2001 when I was 12 years old and flying unaccompanied. I had the whole plane to myself. I landed in ATL at 1:30AM and the whole airport looked closed. Most of the lights were off and there were no passengers anywhere. Only the cleaning crew was around. I slept at the airport on a chair and took my next flight in the morning. That was my first experience of true independence and responsibility 😊

[@Bobbyfischer-md7vt]

bro did your parents disown you ???

[@College.is.a.ripoff]

@@Bobbyfischer-md7vt 💀

[@stanchpandora3658]

Who the hell allows their children to fly unaccompanied

[@College.is.a.ripoff]

@@Bobbyfischer-md7vt Your question made me laugh so hard! It sounds like they abandoned me, but I begged them to let me go. They sent me to go live with my family in Florida. Once you visit the beautiful beaches in Florida and see the coastal lifestyle you'll never want to go back up north....

[@yeoldeseawitch]

@@College.is.a.ripoff was this before or after that one day in september?

[@levithewonderdog335]

Happened to us once as air crew for a couple of honeymoon passengers. Plane went tech and flight cancelled...engineers later managed to fix the problem and we were going to position back with no pax. The two honeymooners had held on hoping the flight may yet go! Despite the cancellation we took them back on board with us and gave them the whole champagne treatment and they had the whole plane to themselves...now that's a honeymoon to remember!!

[@tiahnarodriguez3809]

That’s so sweet

[@takaotsu3592]

The least I’ve had is 6 people on a 4 hour flight and I really enjoyed that.

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

You mean the least

[@takaotsu3592]

@@whitemailprivilege2830 For sure. I’ll edit it.

[@FDR-ww6xz]

If me and my family were delayed for 18 hours while traveling, we would just be the only ones in the front seat of the airplane. How crazy is that?

[@danielkenweisu4682]

No you have to be very lucky still for that to happen. A lot of factors. First of all all the other passengers probably asked to get rebooked on other earlier flights or routes that get them to their destination and at the same the American Airlines probably needed that aircraft in Charlotte, or else they would have just cancelled the whole flight all together and rebook this last dude on another flight. He probably was the only passenger who didn’t ask to get rebooked on an earlier flight and got lucky

[@commanderboom2626]

@@danielkenweisu4682 You really do have to be insanely lucky, especially in this instance. I was the last standby person allowed on a plane out of Charlotte this morning, while there were at least a dozen people who got left behind because it was full. I assume that they were bringing in more planes to help get people out, but even then it was odd because the night before it was the opposite and there were too many planes clogging up the runway

[@judemyervector]

Man this is a flight that we all want Edit: mom Look I'm famous I have 1k like that mean I'm going go make money and dad coming back

[@maxfrax333]

Not me - not a good sign that no one else wants to be on a plane.

[@judemyervector]

@@maxfrax333 just because people back out of going on the plane doesn't mean it will implod like the titan

[@maxfrax333]

@@judemyervector It just doesn't look right. My first thought would be "why is no one else riding on this plane?" ... and I would be out of there.

[@Hex_mommymilkers]

“Man this is a flight that we all want”-🧑🏻🤓

[@ninjapirate123]

Not me

[@caleb0388]

He got those flight attendants numbers. Smart guy

[@ProjectArjun]

lol, agreed

[@sonymicronin]

@@ProjectArjunLol we all know why he got their numbers 😂

[@marioelburro1492]

@sonymicronin something mustve happened in the restrooms 💯

[@caleb0388]

@@marioelburro1492 one passenger went in but 2 persons came out

[@faafgasfsfasfa]

@@marioelburro1492 waaste of liife

[@jacolucas1595]

I'd wait 18 hours for an awesome private flight and some new dope friends!

[@OnlyInhuman90]

You mean friends with benefits. Like the blonde one

[@jacolucas1595]

@@OnlyInhuman90 no that's what you meant .

[@Ilovechicken.]

Having every seat to yourself is nice, even when sleeping

[@blockygamer6684]

True example of patience paying off big time

[@potter3439]

You hit the nail right on the nose my friend. Patience is a virtue

[@rainacherienne1010]

I flew internationally during the pandemics and there were only about 10 passages on a flight from EU to US, capacity was like 400 passengers. It felt like flying private.

[@Nirrrina]

I wouldn't even

[@tomatoe308]

what plane was that huh a typical 777 only holds about 300-350 maybe it was a a350-1000 wich can have 400 passengers

[@bigpapa870]

That sounds like heaven, not fun part is fly with the facemask all the time I guess

[@mercTV1]

Patience is a virtue

[@schindlerteejay94]

Imagine the odds for this to happen, but this kind of thing has happened before plenty of times.

[@mattsmith4589]

1:50 Steven Fabian absolutely love seeing you as an everyday man with your family 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@magala9287]

That is unique!

[@ashenwolf3846]

This is an experience that he for sure will never forget. I mean, how many people can say they got a whole public plane to themselves with staff giving them him their undivided attention?

[@bracebrooks967]

He sure was quite patient to wait for 18 hours. I hope he spent the night at a nearby hotel prior to his flight after the delay originally occurred. Since air travel will already be super busy this summer, I don't intend to take my first flight of 2023 until September. I experienced a cancelled flight last year in July. It nearly made me cry.

[@danielshin5624]

Lucky dude. I wish I had that type of flight solo experience.

[@elirby7131]

I recently missed a flight from Atlanta to Phoenix. After that I then spent the next 27 hours trying to get home. With every other flight on stand by I had to take three different connecting flights until I finally got home. It was an adventure but also exhausting. Props to this guy for not giving up.

[@largol33t1]

Sometimes, when the airlines know you're struggling VERY hard, they might make concessions. I missed a flight because my incoming flight was delayed and they had all kinds of problems at customs. I told them I would be more than happy to wait for the next flight and never raised my voice. I accepted the new ticket and forgot to take a good look at the seat number. It was first class. And my seatmate was the backup pilot! He was an interesting person to talk to. He was being flown back home for simulator training.

[@tamiweber7118]

Your one lucky passenger to be with such a great crew in the friendly skies ✈️ 🥂🍾

[@wc4109]

Good things come to those who wait... and this guy waited 👍

[@fine_ol_chap]

This man is the living definition of "I got nothing better to do" for how long he waited, and I love it

[@Elizabeth-go4kv]

Can't imagine the stress of this situation for everyone involved but im glad so many positives came from it! A great group was formed

[@travisc254]

He's Dumb af when you realize everyone else took their $400+ PLUS another plane ticket AND usually a night(s) at a hotel. Dedication or something else that rhymes 🤷

[@Elizabeth-go4kv]

@travisc254 maybe he couldn't have, you don't know his situation

[@bartulis8036]

A few years ago this happened to me and one other person. We got moved to first class and both enjoyed free drinks and had good conversations with the crew while flying

[@iamavaccumcleaner]

All jokes aside, this sounds like the start of a "stranded on an island" movie.

[@lozfan59]

Ever seen "The Terminal"?

[@janelbbuck]

Damn this is rare. It’ll probably never happen to him again. Certainly a nice memory

[@umaninstrumentalityprject2989]

Fair enough, he showed dedication and it paid off. Such a wholesome moment tbh

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

Having to take care of three small kids seems like a nightmare.

[@jayalexander6630]

😂😂😂😂

[@IzzyKawaiichi]

Dude, I was on one flight from DTW to DFW several years ago that had been delayed several hours because of weather, and I don't know if the other passengers just didn't make it or if they found other flights, but there were basically so few of us that we could each have an entire three-seat row to ourselves. It was so great.

[@gdnickel92]

Man lived the dream many of us wanted

[@humann9324]

truly dedicated man

[@OpEditorial]

When a commercial flight becomes a private jet

[@smart_dev2473]

Private jet on a budget!

[@ItsMadRiv]

Imagine they land, he goes to get his luggage and he finds out that they lost his bags lol

[@alexisgonzalez8224]

I have watched so many inside editions. It’s great to finally get to see the face of the person that narrates these news editions!

[@zionknox3685]

Private jet 😂

[@alexiagabriel1724]

Good for him. His patience paid off. He had his "I'm the king of the world!" moment in that flight.

[@DellWard]

Damn, even if i was as patient as him that could never happen to me lol. I live in NYC so there's no way there would ever be an empty flight coming or going 😩

[@jillianrodriguez594]

I live in NYC too, we came back from Florida yesterday at like 2:50pm (we were supposed to be back at around 12pm or earlier) because of “the unsuitable weather conditions”. We went to Florida during the weekend for my birthday and we were supposed to get back at 12pm today- if not earlier. I fell asleep and when we woke up we were told that the plane didn’t have enough fuel to get to New York so we have to stop at Atlantic City in New Jersey. This was at 11:30 in the morning when they told us, so we got to the other airport in NJ at maybe 12-1:30 I’m not sure. Apparently, the unsuitable weather conditions limited the amount of planes going in and out of the initial airport, so we stopped at NJ right? They told us something about air traffic control and that we’d have to wait till 2:15pm to leave the airport in NJ. We got home likeeee at 5? Because after the plane landing we had to wait for the passengers in front of the plane to get a move on, use the bathroom, etc, then the cab ride here was an hour and some change. We didn’t have internet the entire time, we weren’t really compensated as we were only given was water . Not the worst flight I’ve been on, just the most delayed flight.

[@jillianrodriguez594]

There was one time this guy refused to get off the plane because he kept asking questions (Ex: when is this plane going to depart? How long is it going to take?) , after a good 20 minutes cops came and escorted him out. I feel really bad for that guy because it was his daughters graduation that day and he wouldn’t be able to make it by the looks of it. Another time, the plane had completely run out of food and water for us. They gave out these European biscuits that were in a pack of 2 and half cups of water, it wouldn’t have been so bad if it was only 1 pack and 1 half a cup of water per person each. It literally didn’t matter if you were pregnant, a child, an adult, diabetic, it didn’t matter.

[@moteroargentino7944]

Looks like a cool dude as well, by how he was chilling and making friends with the crew.

[@nedsantos1415]

I don't want a delay in my travel plans, but I want a flight like this.

[@skymarie-]

okay but I like the news anchors for inside edition they feel so professional and like relatable @ the same time

[@theskicker8856]

The baggage guy may have had his best day at work loading only one bag.

[@boobabe1741]

Wow imagine that…entire plane to yourself, his moment in history.🎉

[@BenWinder108]

It just doesn't make sense why they wouldn't cancel the plane if there was only one person

[@jcann907]

Because the plane was scheduled to be at its destination and would have a domino affect if it was not.

[@kk-xi8li]

​@@jcann907oh ok! I had the same question lol

[@tbrownyabish]

​@jcann907 Yup. Most likely will be back to a full flight in Charlotte

[@NLGabriel75]

@@jcann907that makes a lot of sense.

[@College.is.a.ripoff]

That plane has to pick up people in Charlotte the next morning for the next flight scheduled. And the crew needs to be there as well. If it was cancelled altogether then there won't be a plane or crew available for the next morning flight. That's what jcann907 means by domino effect. If one flight is cancelled or delayed it affects all the scheduled flights afterwards.

[@nurseronsky5566]

That taught us all a lesson. All good things will happen if we patiently wait

[@BoostieSRT]

I’m happy when I get a whole row by myself I could only imagine the whole plane that’s so cool 😅

[@texas2step266]

I was an Air Force brat, and have been flying since I was a little kid. Many years ago, I went to join my Army husband, and took a 747 flight from JFK to Tegel Airport, (West Berlin.) I had two whole rows to myself, and I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. Having a whole plane is on a whole other level. It was cool of the airline to go ahead with the flight.

[@ObserverAmanda]

Many times the plane has to be at a location for future flights so it would have likely been flown there even with zero passengers.

[@JayLuhx]

Went to Ohio back in 2018 and on the way home (to NYC) the flight was so empty that they had to move some from the back of the plane to the front to even it out! I had the entire row to myself. Was magical!

[@TheVRtist]

Man talk about luck. I know people who waited 2 days for a flight during a snowstorm in Vancouver and they got nothing for waiting.

[@tamiweber7118]

Guinness World Records 💯💯💯💯💯

[@maximus2971]

With all the chaos going on at the airport's these days, what a cool story. Glad he made it home safe.

[@edcfyau]

that awkwardness when the whole flight crew is staring at you the whole flight

[@ditzygypsy]

Flying from Vancouver to Boston in 1998, we had the whole plane to ourselves, and oddly, my aunt was the head flight attendant! My son was six months old, and I have terrible ear pain on descent and didn’t know if he had inherited it from me, so I was anxious about that beforehand. Thankfully he doesn’t. But it was fantastic to have a quiet, spacious plane and my aunt there because even though I have flown dozens of times since I was small, I am a terrible white knuckle flier. The only thing better would’ve been if my uncle had also been captaining that flight. My husband rode in the cockpit for most of the time. It’s pretty awesome to have an empty plane, especially when you don’t even really like people that much. 😂

[@Browncoat7969]

That is some serious determination here. You have my respect

[@ChakatNightspark]

It is actually Not that Uncommon for someone to have plane to themselves. Back in the Late 90s. I had a Flight from California to New York to myself. It was the First time Flying First Class Home.

[@lavellcody]

One of them moments where everything happens for a reason

[@rickyhernandez2272]

It’s like being on a private jet, except that man got the flight attendants’ numbers and had been treated like Royalty! And that’s crazy cool to me! Believe Me!

[@PhysicalEntity]

He's got that winning personality

[@AndasBrown]

This somewhat happened to me when I flew to Chicago from Oakland 10-11 years ago. I don't remember the airline. It was weird, my flight wasn't delayed but there were only 3 passengers on my flight. Me and my friend and another woman and that was it.

[@aquafishsoup]

I was in China February 2020 during the height of Covid break out and was able to book a flight from Guangzhou to JFK airport in a plane normally for 300+ passengers. It was me and two other passengers on board the 12hr flight.

[@Damndrrtyapes]

Wow. Was this before the US government declared that Covid19 was a public health emergency? Nobody on your flight got quarantined or got questioned on any possible symptoms?

[@lisamorrison5733]

Sounds like a huge waste in fuel ...

[@colevoyles6667]

This is awesome! His patience paid off

[@orighomisandediare4990]

I know how that feels. My Mother and I were delayed so we opted a later flight. Everyone rushed into the delayed flight which was fully booked. I will never again do that again. The flight was so light it continued for the hour with super lightning speed waving from side to side. One time experience I hope not to repeat hopefully

[@TheRealMcCoy88]

The attendants gave him ALL of their undivided attention 😉

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

And he got their phone numbers!

[@retrogaming4911]

This happened to me a long time ago at a movie theater. I went to see Prince of Egypt on one rainy evening and I was the only one there to see the movie. I guess movies play at their intended time slot be it a full house or not. Made me feel like Will Smith when he was the last man on earth.

[@gjc5750]

Thats more common than you would think but still pretty cool

[@tiahnarodriguez3809]

I had a similar experience watching Prince of Egypt at the small family owned theater by my house in the early 2000’s. My fam and I were the only ones there.

[@dariocary8751]

Me being all alone in a movie theater has happened to me about 3 times.

[@melissagrant4178]

One time me and my dad went to see an Avenger movie (don't remember which one), there wasn't anyone else

[@MetaKuma-mv6gy]

the humor you bring to your videos is just perfect!

[@Alphet_013]

That's just the true definition of patience

[@kimic2260]

Lucky man 👍

[@justinw.7407]

I remember having something similar happen. After an aircraft swap and gate change, I ended up being the only passenger on the flight. Because the flight landed in the destination country so late, I was also the only passenger on the bus to the resort. Crazy times.

[@largol33t1]

I'll take an empty bus any day! It must have felt like the world's largest limousine, LOL.

[@Wildlifesupernannyfan]

Thats a 1 in 10000 chance on getting a plane to yourself.

[@altheagn107]

He took "PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE " to a whole new level

[@Shanarai]

Regardless of all the problems we encounter at the airport, it is most people’s dream to have the airplane to themselves at least once in their life😄

[@h.b16]

On my flight back from London to Vancouver, 10 hours, I had almost the whole back of the plane to myself. There were a few people in the first couple rows of the back, if that makes sense haha, but I was the only one in the very back. It was lovely.

[@superlando5199]

Lol that guy wins dedication of the year

[@sonnym0n896]

The most patient man at the airport

[@user-qw2su7bz1y]

Omg our flight was supposed to leave at 8:30 pm but got delayed so many times… BUT NOT CANCELLED but we ended up like “sleeping” on the airport floor🤮🤮 until our flight got announced to depart at 4:30 AM and everyone started clapping

[@kairotheprotogen514]

It’s people like him that make me regain faith in humanity

[@t-man152]

"I got the phone numbers of the crew.." So this man is also set for life... 😂

[@vdyojunkie1229]

I got it too for my flight from Sydney to Perth. It was during Covid and the Pilot gave me the Business class. One of the best flight ive had. Thanks Qantas! I took a photo with the crew too

[@retrogaming4911]

An Introvert's dream flight.

[@alanw2687]

It's not always fun being an introvert. It can get lonely sometimes

[@retrogaming4911]

@@alanw2687 True. But as a introvert myself. I don't like crowds. I don't mind a few people around like in a bookstore. That's why I've never been to a music concert.

[@dariocary8751]

​@alanw2687 being lonely is the fun part in my opinion.

[@ayl5405]

While COVID started Back in march 2020 I took some planes from Minnesota to Puerto Rico this one airport up in Minnesota was completely empty I was the only one inside the plane, we arrived way earlier to the destination because the plane flew very fast since it was empty there was no weight in it nor no turbulence, and the co pilot sat with me and the flight attendants to make jokes eat cookies and drink coke freely. It was really fun and I felt very special and safe, since the pilots were up and down walking all over the place 😂❤and the plane never shake a bit!

[@ricardosam8050]

Awesom3 he’s living best life , well done to him 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@Luque_Mars]

Him saying he got the crews numbers is a polite/tv-interview appropriate way of saying he rizzed up the flight attendants 🤑

[@mithos789]

it was probably just the skinny blonde.

[@Samuel_Loegan]

I remember when we were flying to Singapore, and we had the Business Class and only my family is in the Business class. So in other words, we have it ALL to ourselves XD. Young me was just soooooo mesmerized and so happy. I sat on one seat to the other seat, and to the other. Wonderful experience XD

[@kodaph]

*_"All thing work together for good..."_* Good things happen for those who can wait...

[@gerrysabron]

I already consider myself lucky when traveling for work, that I don't have a seat mate..so much more with not having any fellow passenger at all..

[@kittygaillot2286]

Well…… They say good things come to those who wait, and it definitely held true for this guy. Definitely one flight he’ll remember for life! :-)

[@leaf4224]

When did inside edition start vlogging? 💀

[@jasminedillard2394]

fr LMAO

[@worldsasuri9430]

Oh!!!That must have been an excellent flight!!!

[@tshaffer9681]

In Mr. Stringer's case , Patience paid off. !!!! I'm happy he and the crew had a fun time. It will be something that all of them will always remember.

[@Travis_Stewart5422]

The flight attendance definitely gave him personal attention 😂😂😂

[@greggreg2263]

I heard he joined the mile high club four times on that flight also. he is a living. Legend, now.🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@OneYulaw]

3 times, there's only 3 women flight attendants the other is a dude.

[@mithos789]

@@OneYulaw he has enough love for everyone

[@greggreg2263]

@@OneYulaw you can’t say no to anybody these days you have to be politically, correct😳🥳😂

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

There’s was 4 people on my flight from Greenville Spartanburg Anderson to Detriot. It was the smallest plane I’ve ever flown in! We had to walk out to it on the tarmac. It was insane.

[@ryanbradac6915]

This somehow makes me feel better hearing that this guy at least waited 18hrs for his flight and I waited 39 hours for mine.

[@strrangermike]

1:39 WTF HES SO FINEEE

[@nomi105]

RIGHTTT😭😭

[@isabella6075]

Zaddy lol