What began as a frustrating flight delay in Atlanta turned into a heartwarming experience for passengers aboard Delta flight 1238 when Wayne Hoey pulled out his saxophone. With tensions rising after more than an hour of waiting on the tarmac, the retired Army musician decided to take matters into his own hands—and his sax case.
Hoey’s impromptu performance included Christmas carols and even “Baby Shark,” drawing claps, laughter and sing-alongs from the weary crowd. “People were clapping, singing and cheering,” said Kate Dailey, a passenger who witnessed the event.
A passenger on a Los Angeles-bound flight spreads holiday spirit with mid-air saxophone solo 🎷🎶https://t.co/o5e9m5JW6M
— KTLA 5 Morning News (@KTLAMorningNews) December 23, 2024
Hoey’s history with music is steeped in service. As a member of the U.S. Army band, he traveled the world during the Vietnam War, lifting the spirits of troops. Now, he lives in Augusta, Georgia, where he works as a substitute music teacher and performs with his own band.
After retiring from the military, Hoey taught middle school band in Colorado Springs, inspiring students with his motto: “Always bring your sax.” That advice certainly paid off during the flight, transforming an ordinary evening into something extraordinary.
Despite the delay, passengers left the flight with smiles and stories to share. Dailey summed up the experience on social media, writing, “Thank you, good sir, for your service—then and now. You just renewed my faith in humanity.”
