Southwest Pilot Signs Off With 'Let's Go Brandon', Sparking Heated Online Debate

The phrase "Let's go Brandon" went viral after a victorious post-race interview with NASCAR driver Brandon Brown – chants of "F*** Joe Biden" could be heard from the audience but the reporter said people were chanting "Let's go Brandon."

A video emerged online earlier this week showing a pilot signing off his announcement to passengers via the intercom system with "Let's go Brandon."

The pilot can be heard saying: “We’re heading east at about 107 or 108 mph. Clear visibility, mostly clear skies, about 77 degrees. Thanks for coming out, flying Southwest Airlines, welcome home and let’s go Brandon.”

Based Southwest Airlines Pilot “Welcome aboard and remember: let’s go Brandon” 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ygS3uOC5aC

— Yael Becker (@yael_becker) October 31, 2021

Colleen Long, an AP journalist who was on that Southwest Airlines flight from Houston to Albuquerque on Friday morning, tweeted that after she heard the pilot she tried to "get him to comment" but was "almost removed from the plane."

The pilot's announcement has been widely discussed on social media, with some users vowing to never fly with Southwest again because of his "inappropriate behaviour."

.@SouthwestAir This is HATE SPEECH coming from YOUR PILOTS. I’m finding another airline to fly.#BoycottSouthwestAirlines#BoycottSouthwest https://t.co/mRIPyy7tzn

— #FreedomToVoteAct AND #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct (@DebraToTheLeft) October 30, 2021

You have bigger issues, SW. I would hate to lose all those SW rewards points, but there are so many more options to choose from that include “professional” pilots with good judgement. #BoycottSouthwestAirlines

— MadTXDem🗽🌎🦋 (@MBeaglegroup) October 30, 2021

I wouldn't want this pilot with such bad judgment flying me. The only way I can prevent it is to #BoycottSouthwestAirlines

— Kat Pea (@kkmbol2) October 30, 2021

Wow @SouthwestAir I was just about to book flights for my fam of 5 for Thanksgiving. Not now. #BoycottSouthwestAirlines https://t.co/goIOtyzz9U

— Lady Butcher (@shana_butcher) October 30, 2021

Meanwhile, others believe that the incident is not worth the hype.

A lot of people on the left are upset a @SouthwestAir pilot said “Let’s go, Brandon!” But they were completely okay with it when @NBCSports said it live on TV. What gives? Are they going to stop watching @NBC and all their affiliates?

— Josh (@Joshmh4) October 31, 2021

"Journalists" are so upset about the public using "Let's Go Brandon" they are trying to get @SouthwestAir to fire a pilot. Just more confirmation that the press works for the Biden regime https://t.co/1uP8yN7WuY

— Mandy ✝☕ (@SpringSteps) October 31, 2021

Sounds awesome!!! Thank for sharing! Let's go Brandon

— Tomahawk Chop (@SirLEFTYDuro) October 31, 2021

In a statement to Fox News, Southwest Airlines said that it "takes pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, and respectful environment for the millions of customers who fly with the airline each year and behaviour from any individual that is divisive or offensive will not be tolerated."

The phrase "Let's go Brandon" went viral after an interview with race car driver Brandon Brown following his victory in a NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Alabama earlier in October. When the reporter was talking to Brown, chants of "F*** Joe Biden" could be heard from the audience. The reporter, however, told the driver that the crowd was chanting "Let's go Brandon." Since then, the phrase has become a euphemism for the anti-Biden chant.