Passenger spots employee putting tape on the wing of a plane before takeoff

'I would’ve run off the plane! And got my money back'

A passenger on a Spirits Airlines flight has sworn off flying on the carrier after seeing the disturbing scene that has since been viewed 1.7m times on TikTok and sparked almost 150,000 comments.

In the clip, posted by @myhoneysmacks, the airline worker is seen doing a quick repair job on the aircraft’s left wing while it is stationary on the tarmac at Nashville International Airport. The worker is visible to passengers inside the plane.

“The reason why I don’t fly with Spirit,” the TikToker said.

"I don’t care if it is aviation airplane tape or nothing, the fact that you have to tape the plane together and then you doing it while people are on the flight like we cannot see you.

"That’s the reason why I will not fly with Spirit, now Southwest I’ll do, but Spirit no sir,” the video creator said.

As the worker continued with the maintenance, the woman became more concerned with what she was seeing, saying: “After a while, they’re going to need a fresh new roll of tape, their tapes gonna lose all its stickiness, you flying all around the world and you got tape holding it together. Don’t even worry about it, I won’t be booking with you.”

In a comment that probably reassured no one, one viewer pointed out the worker was using 'Speed Tape', which is widely utilised by airlines.

"This is called Speed Tape used to perform minor repairs on airplanes. Every airline uses it including SouthWest," one user commented.

Speed Tape is an aluminium-backed adhesive used to make quick repairs on aircraft and race cars.

"It’s called speed tape because, when applied, it will adhere to an airplane wing traveling very fast through the air," according to the travel blog 'The Points guy.'

"It can withstand temperatures ranging from -65°F to 600°F and has a cloth layer covered by aluminium foil with a super-strong silicone adhesive, making it thicker than duct tape."

Some TikTok users who have a background in aviation took to the comments and reassured the original poster that it was completely normal for Speed Tape to be used on a aircraft. “I’m an airplane mechanic every and I mean every airline uses speed tape on planes. And yes we routinely have to apply it after each flight,” one wrote, adding:

"Southwest will do the exact same, as well as United and American."

“Airforce (retired) Aircraft Maintainer here… you would be surprised how much tape is used on airplanes. Every airline uses it babe,” another person commented.

Other commenters were less concerned with an explanation.

"Why are you still sitting in the plane!,” one person said while another claimed, "Baby I would’ve run off the plane! And got my money back."

Another user reassured the original poster that the worker did the job correctly, suggesting “he patted it down so it’s ok."

Related links:

• Influencer furious after being ‘forced to hold five-month-old baby 12 hours’ on flight
• Billionaires heartbroken after being forced to sell luxury items that don’t fit into new $28m mansion
• Airline passenger wears all her clothes to avoid baggage fee
• Man loses it at parents during flight because their baby was ‘crying for 45 minutes’