The new flight with Frontier is planned for departure around 4 a.m., according to band and orchestra director Mr. Nick Pignataro.
With 212 students attending the band and orchestra trip to Universal Studios, 182 students were stranded at the Philadelphia International Airport for over 15 hours on March 13.
The original flight was first delayed to 8 p.m., and was then canceled.
“[The cancellation] was really confusing and disorienting,” freshman William McFadden said. “You just don’t expect this to happen. We spent so much time planning, just to have things go wrong.”
Students have been navigating the airport boredom in their own unique ways.
“I’m just on Instagram reels,” sophomore Luka Nuschke said. “I also played chess and I’m into reading books, playing video games…I don’t know. I’m just doing whatever.”
Some students have been trying to use this time to sleep, but the airport environment makes it difficult.
“I have been listening to a lot of music and trying to sleep,” junior Taylor Moody said. “It’s not the easiest to sleep because the lights are so bright.”
However, Pignataro manages to stay positive through the unexpected delays.
“I am getting to talk to students,” Pignataro said. “I am learning so much about kids that I would have never gotten the chance to learn. In one strange way, I am enjoying the bonding experience we’re all having.”
Pignataro finds a different way to view the chaotic day.
“It is brilliant how the students are handling this,” Pignataro said. “The vibes in here are fun, kind of like a summer camp. It feels very much like a sleepover.”
Students are sleepy, but are still eager to continue with the rest of the trip. According to Pignataro, the plan upon landing around at 6 a.m. is to stay in the hotel for breakfast and extra sleep until 1 p.m., when they will leave for the parks.
“I think we’ll be pretty tired the first day, but I’m glad that it’s not going to impact it too much,” Danovitch said. “Hopefully we’re still going to go to the park tomorrow, so I think everything will be fine.”
“I think this is going to be one of the most memorable trips most of us will have, at least at Haven,” senior Tess Kelly said. “I think it will make small things like, ‘what am I gonna wear tomorrow? Or ‘I forgot my toothbrush?’ kind of obsolete.”
The new flight took off around 5 a.m. and arrived in Orlando at around 7:40 a.m..
