Hoobastank turns FAA ground stop into an impromptu “The Reason” singalong

Passengers aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Orlando received an unexpected musical surprise on Friday, November 13, 2026, when members of Hoobastank performed an acoustic version of their 2004 hit “The Reason.” Lead singer Doug Robb and guitarist Dan Estrin entertained travelers in the aircraft cabin, prompting passengers to sing along. Videos of the performance quickly spread across social media.The musicians were traveling to Orlando for the 2026 Vans Warped Tour, alongside members of Simple Plan, The Used and LØLØ. Several artists performed during the journey, including Simple Plan's Pierre Bouvier, who sang “Perfect” and “I'm Just a Kid.” The flight reportedly departed Los Angeles shortly before the nationwide ground stop, so accounts differ on whether the performances happened while the plane was waiting or already airborne.The musical moment coincided with a major disruption to U.S. aviation. On November 13, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop after telecommunications problems affected air traffic control communications and radar systems. The restriction lasted more than four hours before being lifted at approximately 8:15 p.m. Eastern time. Thousands of flights were canceled, and authorities said there was no indication of a cyberattack.