Photo: Jack Jensz Jr.
A video is going viral on social media showing what seems to be an impromptu inflight performance on a recent EasyJet flight. In less than a day, the video has been viewed over 17 million times on Twitter alone. The video has the caption “Worshipping Jesus 30,000 Feet in The Air,” and it shows at least two people performing — one man is playing a guitar and singing, while another woman is singing as well.
The video was taken and uploaded by Jack Jensz Jr. -- who seems to be a pastor of some sort, and who founded an organization called Kingdom Realm Ministries.
What isn't clear is whether this was a plane full of folks from the same church/denomination, or whether these Christ-followers hijacked things and projected their faith onto everyone else without asking.
Jensz and his congregation have been in Europe lately helping out the refugees fleeing Ukraine, and according to his Facebook page, this may have been shot on a flight to Germany around April 9, so a full week ago at this point. It just seems to be getting picked up now.
The response on social media has also been mixed, with a majority of people reacting negatively to this. Ilhan Omar, the US Representative from Minnesota, even Tweeted about the video, and said the following: “I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end?”
Guitarist Joe Bonamassa retweeted the video with this commeht:
"My only question other than WTF, is how did he managed to actually get the guitar on the plane without being hassled? Oh and that guy in the blue-ish shirt looks like he is about go medieval on the inflight entertainment's lead singer."
Over on Twitter, one viewer explained: “I think it’s awesome to see the Lord praised and worshipped at all times, in all places. To me, this is amazing and wonderful. I do fear this may not be a perfect way of spreading the Gospel to those that want a quiet & peaceful flight… hard to find a balance there.”
Another tweeted: If he was worshiping Allah at 30,000 feet in the air he'd be on a No Fly List.
In the U.S., domestic travel laws require that airlines allow guitarists to carry on their instruments, provided that they fit beneath the seat in front of the passengers or into an overhead storage compartment.
In 2003, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the American Federation of Musicians reached an agreement allowing airlines to treat guitars not only as checked baggage but also as carry-on items.