JetBlue passenger ‘anoints’ plane with holy water in viral video amid rising plane crashes

A JetBlue passenger, Desiree Salter, went viral on TikTok this February after posting a video of herself anointing her flight with holy water.

The video, which has amassed over 5 million views, shows Salter drawing a cross on the exterior of the plane before takeoff, while she prays, "In Jesus' name, we pray…Amen!" Her gesture came amidst a surge in plane crashes in the U.S. and Canada, which has sparked concerns among travellers.

While JetBlue flights have not been directly affected by these incidents, recent accidents have heightened anxiety in the aviation community. Notably, on February 17, a Delta flight in Toronto flipped during landing, injuring 21 people.

Photo: AP

Just days later, two passengers tragically died in a mid-air collision in southern Arizona.

Photo: AP

Another significant crash occurred on January 29, when an American Airlines flight collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 64 people on board.

Photo: AP

Salter’s actions received a wave of support on TikTok, where viewers praised her for taking what they saw as an extra step in ensuring safety and peace of mind for passengers. Comments flooded in, with many expressing that Salter’s prayer made them feel safer before their own flights. "We shall continue to live and not die!" one user commented.

This act of blessing the aircraft follows a similar viral moment earlier this month, when a passenger shared a heartwarming speech from a pilot who reassured passengers of their safety before takeoff.