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CEO of private jet company offers to fly stranded German tourist to World Cup game

A private-jet company has offered to rescue viral German soccer fan Freddy after weather chaos left him stranded in Oklahoma City and fearing he would miss Germany’s World Cup showdown…

A private-jet company has offered to rescue viral German soccer fan Freddy after weather chaos left him stranded in Oklahoma City and fearing he would miss Germany’s World Cup showdown against Ivory Coast in Toronto.

The internet sensation, known on X as @FreddyLA7, sparked an outpouring of support Friday after revealing that severe weather had upended his travel plans to Canada ahead of Saturday’s Group E match at Toronto’s BMO Field.

“Our connecting flight from Dallas to Canada has been canceled due to weather,” Freddy wrote. “They rebooked us on a flight tomorrow evening. We’re gonna miss the Germany match💔.”

Private aviation company Airshare offered to fly viral German soccer fan Freddy to Canada after weather disruptions left him stranded in Oklahoma City.
Private aviation company Airshare offered to fly viral German soccer fan Freddy to Canada after weather disruptions left him stranded in Oklahoma City. Andrey Popov – stock.adobe.com

The post set off a frenzy among his more than half-million followers, who immediately began crowdsourcing alternate routes, flight options and even road-trip plans to get him across the border in time for kickoff.

Then came an offer that seemed straight out of a movie.

“Missing the Germany match is not an option. We’ll get you to Canada!” private aviation company Airshare posted on X.

John Owen, Airshare’s chief executive, doubled down on the offer.

“Do it @FreddyLA7! We will get you there,” Owen wrote.

Minutes later, Owen said the company was prepared to move immediately.

Owen joined thousands of online supporters trying to help Freddy reach Toronto in time for Germany’s showdown with Ivory Coast.
Owen joined thousands of online supporters trying to help Freddy reach Toronto in time for Germany’s showdown with Ivory Coast. Facebook/Airshare

“We told @FreddyLA7 we have the jet ready and have him covered! Just need him to reach out.”

Owen then told Freddy to stay in Oklahoma City.

“We’ll take you direct to Toronto on the jet in the morning,” the CEO pledged.

The offer wasn’t cheap. Based on Airshare’s publicly posted charter rates, a private flight from Oklahoma City to Toronto would likely cost tens of thousands of dollars.

The company advertises rates starting at roughly $6,000 an hour for a light jet and $8,000 an hour for a super-midsize aircraft.

Freddy’s weather-delayed trip sparked a flood of online suggestions from followers determined to get him to Toronto before Germany’s match.
Freddy’s weather-delayed trip sparked a flood of online suggestions from followers determined to get him to Toronto before Germany’s match. Facebook/flywithairshare

With Oklahoma City and Toronto separated by roughly three hours of flying time, the base cost alone could easily run from about $18,000 to $24,000 before taxes, airport fees, international handling charges and other expenses.

Industry estimates suggest the final bill for a trip like Freddy’s could land somewhere north of $20,000 and potentially closer to $30,000.

Whether Freddy accepted the offer was not immediately clear. The Post has sought comment from Freddy and Airshare.

Freddy had been in Oklahoma City after attending country singer Ella Langley’s concert, one of several unexpected stops on the German fan’s viral cross-country journey through America.

The travel drama is the latest chapter in one of the most unexpectedly wholesome viral stories of the World Cup.

Freddy, a German fan who has largely kept his identity private, arrived in the United States earlier this month for what he described as a six-week World Cup road trip through America ahead of Germany’s matches.

Instead of posting about stadiums and tactics, Freddy won over Americans by documenting everyday experiences that many locals take for granted.

He marveled at Atlanta’s greenery, raved about Waffle House, visited the Bavarian-themed town of Helen, Ga., and posted astonished reactions to everything from college football stadiums to Buc-ee’s convenience stores.

One of his most widely shared posts came after his first visit to Buc-ee’s.

“DUDE LMAO THIS IS A GAS STATION,” he wrote.

Another viral moment came during a stop at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, where he watched the school’s famed eagle flyover before kickoff.

“There’s an eagle flying around the stadium,” he posted in disbelief.

His wide-eyed appreciation for quintessentially American experiences quickly turned him into a social-media darling, with brands, politicians, sports teams and celebrities all joining in.

Waffle House publicly thanked him for visiting. Wendy’s responded to one of his posts.

The US State Department welcomed him online. Houston Texans legend JJ Watt even stepped in earlier this week to help arrange accommodations and gifts after Freddy reached Texas.

Along the way, Freddy became something of an unofficial ambassador for World Cup visitors discovering America ahead of next summer’s tournament.

His latest setback struck a nerve with followers who have spent the past two weeks following every mile of his journey.

As suggestions poured in Friday, users proposed everything from alternate commercial flights to overnight drives.

One person suggested he head to Kansas City and catch an early-morning flight to Toronto. Others urged him to reroute through Buffalo and drive across the border.

“Someone get this man the jet,” one follower pleaded.

Freddy indicated the situation was more complicated than simply booking another ticket.

“We’re still in OKC, our flight to Dallas is also not starting so far,” he wrote.

“Missing the Germany match is not an option,” Airshare wrote after Freddy revealed he was at risk of missing Saturday’s game.
“Missing the Germany match is not an option,” Airshare wrote after Freddy revealed he was at risk of missing Saturday’s game. Facebook/flywithairshare

When another user suggested a private aircraft could solve the problem, Freddy replied: “The problem is the weather. I don’t even think a jet can help us now😔.”

He later explained that his canceled itinerary would have taken him to Buffalo before a drive into Toronto.

The clock is ticking.

Germany is scheduled to face Ivory Coast at 4 p.m. Saturday at BMO Field in Toronto after opening the tournament with a victory. Freddy’s original plan was to be there.

Now thousands of fans across social media appear determined to make sure he doesn’t miss it.

The post CEO of private jet company offers to fly stranded German tourist to World Cup game appeared first on New York Post.