They say patience is a virtue. For one North Carolina man, patience became his ticket to the upgrade of a lifetime. 

Phil Stringer was booked on a flight from Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina on June 25, 2023.

The American Airlines flight was delayed for 18 hours due to maintenance issues and Stringer ended up being the only passenger to still show up during departure. 

Stringer said that he was given a complimentary upgrade to first class, but the best part of the experience was that he was the only passenger on the flight.

“I am the only person on the plane, and I have an entire flight crew,” a bemused Stringer said in his TikTok video.

Before boarding, Stringer asked a baggage attendant from American Airlines how many bags were loaded on the plane. The attendant said only one.

In his TikTok video, Stringer showed that CLT airport was almost empty. In a gesture of good humor, the gate attendant paged Stringer, who was recording her, to say that boarding would be in 10 minutes.

The two hour 25 minute flight ended up being “a blast”, Stringer told Insider, with flight attendants looking like they were also having fun serving just one passenger.

Stringer’s video received plenty of comments from flight attendants who said flights like these are unforgettable and fun.

So the next time you are met with a lengthy flight delay, always remember that your patience may be rewarded.