Flying is already stressful enough without looking out the window and seeing someone taping the airplane together before takeoff.
But that’s exactly what a passenger on Spirit Airlines thought they witnessed in a viral video that’s making the rounds online.
In the clip, a passenger films what appears to be maintenance workers applying tape to the outside of the aircraft while the plane sits on the tarmac. The passenger understandably does not love what they’re seeing and can be heard saying something along the lines of “Just give me my money back.”
Which, to be fair, is a very relatable reaction when you think you just watched someone grab duct tape from a toolbox and start patching up the plane you’re about to board.
Spirit Airlines recently announced on March 13, 2026 that it had entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, its second filing in less than a year. The company says it plans to shrink its fleet significantly, reducing the number of planes to roughly 76 to 80 aircraft by the third quarter, while it works through the restructuring process.
Naturally, that kind of financial news makes every viral clip involving duct tape and airplanes feel about ten times more concerning than it probably is.
To be clear, airlines across the industry use speed tape when needed, and it’s considered a normal temporary maintenance tool. But seeing it happen right outside your window while someone films it for social media is probably not the most comforting preflight entertainment.
