Most flights are jam-packed with people and even sometimes overbooked. Most passengers have learned to expect discomfort during their flights, but what happens when you are the only person on the plane?
In a TikTok with over 84,600 views as of this writing, Texas woman Kelsey Sloan (@lifexsentenc) reveals how she was the only one on her American flight from Philadelphia to Boston.
“Guys, I’m the only one on this entire flight,” Sloan begins.
While sitting in first class, she showcases the rest of the plane and how no one else is on it.
“There’s not a single other person on this flight except for me,” she shares.
The flight attendant is walking through the aisle doing the standard preflight boarding protocol. The flight crew is treating this flight the same way as if the flight were completely booked. Sloan realizes that this moment is rare and is in disbelief that she is the only passenger on the plane.
“Oh my God,” she concludes.
Only Passenger On Plane
In a conversation with Sloan via Instagram direct message, Sloan shared more details about the flight situation.
Sloan told BroBible her initial flight did get delayed twice and only expected the flight to be canceled for weather.
“I was not expecting them to cancel but I figured it could be canceled due to the weather. But it was delayed twice. The first time due to a radio issue. I guess a whole line got cut Friday night in Philly. So I had to stay in a hotel because it’s delayed til 6am. But then it gets pushed to 3:30pm Saturday. So I’m at the airport again. Getting drunk quite honestly.”
Sloan said she realized it was going to be an empty flight when waiting to board the plane.
“I get to my gate and it’s kinda empty, but the entire terminal is full. They start calling groups. I’m in group 6. I watched as nobody got on the flight. They called group 6 and I wandered up there and got on board. The flight attendants are so sweet and kinda tickled to tell me I’m the only passenger.”
She revealed that she was automatically upgraded to first class and was even able to check out the cockpit.
“They bumped me to first class and let me check out the cock pit and everything! I got a vodka cran and a plane trading card from the pilot hehehe,” she said.
Sloan shared the safety briefing was pretty awkward considering she was the only one on the flight.
“The safety instructions were a bit awkward. But it was cute cause every time they made an announcement they started it with ‘Miss Kelsey’. Like ‘Miss Kelsey’ we are approaching your destination,” she said.
Why Do Airlines Still Fly With Only One Passenger?
Flying only one person on a flight may seem unnecessary, and many would wonder why the flight didn’t get canceled.
Well, the main reason the flight doesn’t get canceled is due to logistics, the Points Guy reports.
All airlines run a specific schedule, and each plane is needed at a certain time and location. Airplanes are routed to a specific schedule, and canceling one stop will have a ripple effects across the whole schedule.
One pilot shared with USA Today that while one flight may be empty, the next day the plane is completely full. While flying with a headcount of one may seem silly, there are more factors that come into play.
A flight may be empty, but the cargo hold is filled to the brim. The cargo revenues can make up for the lack of passengers on the plane and pay for the flight.
In addition to cargo transportation, mandatory maintenance is required for planes and flight crews. Maintenance is scheduled months in advance, and the plane has to make its schedule. Missing this check-in can qualify the plane as out of compliance.
To simply put it, airplanes make money when they are flying and not stuck on the ground. Canceling flights is never ideal, as the plane is needed in a different location in the future. It’s best to keep the flights moving even with one passenger, as the next day can be the money maker.
‘I’m Surprised They Took Off With Just You’
Viewers in the comment section were surprised the flight didn’t get canceled and that she should take full advantage of the private plane.
“I’m surprised they took off with just you,” one TikTok commenter wrote.
“Private plane babyyyy,” another added.
“Girl, you better sit in every single seat,” one commented.
“I bet space in the overhead bins was still limited and they still suggested you check your bag,” one joked.
One viewer noticed she was in first class and assumed she paid extra for nothing.
“And you paid for first class. I’d be pissed. Could’ve sat in economy,” one
“No I just got moved there because nobody else was sitting there,” Sloan clarified.
While one flight attendant says it’s mandatory to do the safety briefing no matter what.
“And it’s so awkward doing the safety briefing for only one passenger but we have to,” one shared.
@lifexsentence Feels insane