“You Can Always Rely on Airlink”: Matie Goes Viral for Hilarious Airlink Endorsement, SA Entertained

• A South African woman filmed herself on an Airlink flight passionately praising the airline's reliability over competitors hit by strikes
• The comedian, known as matiestad, stood between two pilots and humorously highlighted perks like free fudge on a Namibian route
• Viewers online called for Airlink to officially sign her as a brand ambassador after the clip spread widely on Instagram

A local comedian, known as @matiestad on Instagram, has the internet in stitches after a hilarious in-flight video went viral on 8 September 2026. In the clip, she stands beaming between two Airlink pilots and launches into what can only be described as a one-woman marketing campaign for the airline.

Her enthusiasm was hard to miss. She made her case by pointing out that while other carriers were grounded due to strikes, Airlink was flying on time and getting passengers where they needed to go. She even flagged an unexpected perk for travellers on Namibian routes: fudge in the snack packs.

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Matie takes on Springbok stars too

The video did not stop at flight schedules and snacks. In a moment that sent viewers into a spin, she jokingly offered to take on Springbok rugby stars, including Eben Etzebeth, alongside the pilots. She rounded off her pitch with a line that quickly became the most quoted part of the clip: "If you can't link, Airlink!" The two pilots flanking her throughout played along with wide smiles, making the whole scene feel spontaneous and genuinely funny.

Watch the full Instagram reel that has South Africa laughing below:

Mzansi wants her as an official ambassador

Whether Airlink takes the hint and hands her a contract remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Matie's pitch landed better than most paid advertisements ever could. South Africans flooded the comments with love for her energy, with many agreeing Airlink should put her on the payroll:

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@_nicolebarnard_:

"Hi Tannie, ek wil nie met hulle vlieg nie, ek wil vir hulle vlieg. Kan Tannie my help [Hi Tannie, I don't want to fly with them; I want to fly for them. Can Tannie help me]?"

@eilandkind:

"Wanneer vlieg hulle weer oor die stadions [When are they flying over the stadiums again]? Ons was almal so teleurgesteld [We were all so disappointed]."

@mariounfiltered:

"Love your enthusiasm. Airlink rocks👍."

@marchellscholtz:

"Jy kan altyd op Airlink staatmaak. Vlieg net met hulle [You can always rely on Airlink. Only fly with them]."

@elize.homan:

"Mooi bly mooi jong, shoe 😄😜 [Stay beautiful young one, wow]."

3 Briefly News articles about Airlink's stadium flyover

• Two Springbok supporters showed up to a match at FNB Stadium dressed in full pilot uniforms in a humorous nod to the controversial Airlink low-altitude stadium flyover in Cape Town.
• A content creator penned an open letter defending Airlink's low-altitude stadium flyover against international backlash, reminding critics of the country's culture of precision and boldness.
• Briefly News reported that Airlink’s low-altitude stadium flyover in Cape Town sparked viral international debate, with South Africans proudly defending the impressive display of local aviation skill

Source: Briefly News