Heading out on a trip is usually something people look forward to — the excitement of travel, the promise of new experiences, or simply the joy of getting away. But as every traveler knows, the journey itself doesn’t always go as smoothly as planned. That was exactly what passengers on a flight from Indianapolis to New Orleans discovered when their plane sat grounded for a grueling five hours. Even the calmest traveler would have found that kind of delay enough to test their patience.
Fortunately, this particular flight had someone who refused to let frustration take over. Flight attendant Kari Mann, determined to keep passengers in good spirits, made her way through the cabin chatting and offering reassurance. During her rounds, she happened upon a delightful surprise — a group of elderly gentlemen who introduced themselves as members of a barbershop quartet called Port City Sound.
The quartet, made up of Walt Dowling (lead), Fred Moore (tenor), Jim Curtiss (baritone), and Jim Simpson (bass), all hail from Maine and boast more than a century of combined experience performing barbershop harmonies. It seemed like destiny that these four men ended up on that delayed flight together — and Kari quickly realized she had stumbled upon the perfect way to lift everyone’s mood.
Sensing an opportunity to turn the situation around, Kari asked the quartet if they’d be willing to share a song to help pass the time. They happily agreed — and soon, the cabin filled with the smooth, nostalgic sounds of “Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters. Passengers who had been slumped in frustration suddenly perked up, smiling and tapping their feet to the rhythm. The atmosphere on board transformed completely — stress turned into laughter and connection.
Of course, in true 21st-century fashion, Kari captured the magical moment on video and later uploaded it to YouTube. The internet loved it. The clip, showing Port City Sound harmonizing mid-flight, quickly went viral — earning over 8.8 million views and thousands of heartwarming comments.
One of the most touching responses came from Kelly Emerson, daughter of lead singer Walt Dowling, who wrote:
“Hello! Thank you so much for posting this video. My dad, Walter Dowling, is front right. I’m so proud and always love to hear him sing. It was a treat for me to see this, as I’m sure it helped lighten the mood on a delayed flight. Thanks for sharing with the world!”
What began as a frustrating travel delay turned into a moment of unexpected joy — a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a little music and kindness to turn a bad day into something unforgettable.
