Southwest Airlines Co. hosted a surprise concert on Flight #1989 from Nashville to Miami with GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter Liz Rose, who was traveling to watch the songs she wrote with Taylor Swift take the stage at the global superstar’s Miami show. This Southwest flight took place on Oct. 17 and celebrates the 100th concert of the airline’s signature Live at 35 program that started in 2011, which brings live music performances onboard at 35,000 feet.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 100 performances in the sky and our Live at 35 program than with a plane full of music lovers singing along to the hit songs Liz helped write,” said Sarah Falvey, Vice President of Communications and Brand Reputation at Southwest Airlines. “We recently added service across the network to support big events and loved surprising Flight #1989 with a performance by this incredible songwriter who played a role in inspiring the big event.”
“As a songwriter, I love engaging with people through words and music, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to sing along with Flight #1989 at 35,000 feet on my way to Miami,” said songwriter, Liz Rose. “Southwest’s Live at 35 program is a creative way to give musicians a lift while surprising Customers in the sky.”
Customers sang along and held up heart hands as Rose performed “All Too Well” and “You Belong with Me.” Following the performance, Customers received commemorative inflight concert cards and custom friendship bracelets made by Southwest Employees that said “Flight 1989” and “Spread LUV.”
Past Live at 35 performers include artists of all levels, including those from Southwest’s On The Rise program. Through On The Rise, the airline supports those in creative spaces as they reach new heights in their careers and achieve their goals.
Rose was accompanied by hit songwriter Phil Barton on the guitar for this Live at 35 performance as a collaboration between one of country music’s most historic and iconic music venues in Nashville, The Bluebird Cafe, and Southwest Airlines. The Bluebird and Southwest have been official partners since 2015. The Bluebird Cafe is a venue where up-and-coming songwriters and artists, including Liz Rose, rise to fame and build their careers.
Visit Southwest.fm to learn more about music at Southwest and to watch past Live at 35 performances.