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Everyone on this Southwest Airlines flight got a ukulele and lessons on how to play it

Sept. 17, 2022
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3 min read
uke 1
Everyone on this Southwest Airlines flight got a ukulele and lessons on how to play it
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Southwest Airlines is known for its fun, memorable, and Instagrammable moments at its gates and on its planes.

There are corny jokes galore. Snack crowns and toilet paper bouquets for brides. Shark Week flights. Entire weddings saved. That time in 2019 when passengers headed to San Diego for a comic-themed convention received Nintendo Switch systems.

And who can forget the rapping flight attendant?

Many official Southwest "surprise and delight" events were put on hold during the pandemic. But it looks like they are back.

Yesterday morning 175 passengers flying on Southwest flight 2271 from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) became part of a special musical flight.

In a partnership with global musical instrument retailer Guitar Center, passengers on this Hawaii-bound flight were gifted a travel-sized Mitchell MU40 Soprano ukulele, a Road Runner carrying case and a goodie bag.

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Passengers were also treated to what is being billed as the first-ever inflight ukulele class.

After departure and drink service, Guitar Center Lessons instructors from Hawaii taught passengers how to play the ukuleles, an instrument associated with Hawaii and Hawaiian music.

The ukulele’s reputation as an easy-to-learn instrument proved true. As they set off across the Pacific Ocean, passengers were invited to join a group lesson with the goal of playing the song “Hello, Aloha. How are you?” together.

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ukuleles on flight
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“I’ve taught students through Guitar Center Lessons since 2014, but never in an airplane,” said Alexandra Windsor, educational affairs specialist for Guitar Center Lessons. “It was inspiring to see how quickly passengers of all ages picked up the ukulele — many with no musical background. It shows just how fun and easy learning something new can be.”

For Southwest Airlines, “surprise and delight events are a unique way to create memorable experiences,” said Brandy King, Southwest’s senior director of public relations. “Today’s celebration of Hawaiian culture and Southwest Hospitality underscore our everyday commitment to serve and celebrate the spirit of Aloha.”

ukuleles on flight
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

For passengers who want to recreate the experience — minus the inflight lessons — Southwest Airlines and Guitar Center are hosting a Ukulele Take Flight Sweepstakes. The prize is a pair of round-trip tickets (for the winner and a guest) and two Mitchell MU40 Soprano ukuleles. (The package value is approximately $960; enter by September 30, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. CDT.)

This is far from the first time a Southwest Airlines flight was filled with music — and probably not the last. In 1979, a band performed on the airline’s inaugural flight to New Orleans. And the airline has hosted a series of Live at 35 (as in at 35,000 feet) concerts in the sky.

Featured image by SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
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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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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