Flight Delay Turns into Canadian Airport Party

Image: PHOTO: Passengers brought out an accordion and guitar to spice up a lengthy flight delay. (photo via Flickr/Paul Hudson)
Image: PHOTO: Passengers brought out an accordion and guitar to spice up a lengthy flight delay. (photo via Flickr/Paul Hudson)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 12:50 AM ET, Wed November 22, 2017

There's very little inspiring about a flight delay, especially around the holidays.

Nonetheless, a group of passengers stranded at Toronto Pearson International Airport made the most of their unwelcome wait Monday night, throwing an old school Newfoundland kitchen party.

According to CTV News, Newfoundlanders Sheldon Thornhill and Sean Sullivan kicked off the celebration with an accordion and a guitar.

The duo proceeded to lead dozens of passengers through a slew of folk classics, including "Sweet Forget Me Not," "Grey Foggy Day" and "Aunt Martha's Sheep."

"It was just Newfoundlanders having fun, enjoying each other's company," passenger Michelle Sacrey Philpott told CTV News in a telephone interview. "Music. Culture. That's where our heritage is from."

The delayed flight was bound for Newfoundland and Labrador.

SacreyPhilpott captured several videos of the impromptu party, which have already been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.

She added that the reaction has been tremendous. "It's crazy how many emails that I've gotten from people."

The uplifting moment is one of many that captured our hearts in 2017, including a dance party at North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport and an equally priceless song and dance challenge at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans.

Don't forget that time Kenny G hosted a surprise concert aboard a Delta Air Lines flight.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Every Island Tells a Story: Part 2 – Selling the Caribbean Through Immersive ExperiencesWednesday, August 19, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Continue the journey in the second installment of our Every Island Tells a Story webinar series. This...
Upcoming Webinar
The Art of Destination Recommendation: Alternative Destination Strategies for Travel AdvisorsTuesday, August 18, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
What if your next best sale is a destination your client hasn’t considered—and you’ve never visited?...
Upcoming Webinar
From Interest to Booking: Selling HANKYU × PONANT Japan CruisesFriday, August 21, 2026
4:00pm Eastern
Take the next step in selling HANKYU × PONANT Japan cruises with a practical, advisor focused look at...
Upcoming Webinar
Every Island Tells a Story: Part 2 – Selling the Caribbean Through Immersive ExperiencesWednesday, August 19, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Continue the journey in the second installment of our Every Island Tells a Story webinar series. This...
Upcoming Webinar
The Art of Destination Recommendation: Alternative Destination Strategies for Travel AdvisorsTuesday, August 18, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
What if your next best sale is a destination your client hasn’t considered—and you’ve never visited?...
Upcoming Webinar
From Interest to Booking: Selling HANKYU × PONANT Japan CruisesFriday, August 21, 2026
4:00pm Eastern
Take the next step in selling HANKYU × PONANT Japan cruises with a practical, advisor focused look at...