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Couple gets married on board Southwest Airlines flight

May 01, 2022
3 min read
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Couple gets married on board Southwest Airlines flight
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No one likes when their flight gets canceled, but Pam and Jeremy Salda sure made the best of it last weekend.

On their way to Las Vegas to elope, the final leg of their trip from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Las Vegas (LAS) got canceled.

While trying to figure things out at DFW, a fellow passenger overheard the couple's discussion about how the cancellation would likely lead to them missing their scheduled appointment at a wedding chapel. Fortunately, the passenger, had a solution: he was an ordained minister.

The three booked seats on a Southwest flight from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Vegas, and after a trip across town to switch airports, Pam — already in her wedding dress — made a joke as she boarded the Southwest flight that she and Jeremy should just get married on the plane.

Be careful what you wish for. The pilot and crew were fully on board with Pam’s suggestion.

couple gets married southwest flight
(Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines)

The flight crew “sprung into action,” according to Southwest, hanging toilet paper streamers inside the plane and downloading a wedding soundtrack before takeoff.

Once at cruising altitude, music accompanied Pam on her walk down the (plane’s) aisle with her groom and fellow passenger-turned-officiant waiting at the front of the plane along with one of the flight attendants, who became her impromptu maid of honor.

bride walks down aisle southwest flight
(Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines)

Pam said the ceremony was proof of the “charmed life” she lived, with passengers listening over the aircraft’s intercom as the bride told her groom, “I can’t wait to be your co-pilot through life. I’ll be the check to your cross-check. And any turbulence, I want to weather it with you.”

By the time the "I do’s" came Jeremy exclaimed “I sure do!” to applause and cheers from passengers, including the bride’s side of the crowd (those with seat letters A, B and C) to the groom’s (those in D, E and F) as Jeremy kissed his bride.

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The Saldas made their way to the back of the plane-turned-chapel, with Pam hoisting her bouquet in the air. A notebook passed around that served as the guestbook, courtesy of the passengers of Southwest Flight 2690.

makeshift guest book southwest flight wedding
(Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines)

Jeremy said the couple had met 625 days earlier. It seems a reasonable guess that Sunday, April 24, 2022, was among the most memorable of their time together.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.