Chris Martin surprised everyone at Sydney Airport on Monday by performing a unique ritual before boarding his private jet to Auckland, New Zealand. Just before stepping onto the plane, the Coldplay frontman got down on his hands and knees to kiss the tarmac, a gesture that left airport workers watching in amazement. Dressed in a white shirt and black cargo pants, the singer didn’t seem to mind getting a bit dirty for his pre-flight ritual. Coldplay even donated 10% of their 2025 tour profits.
Kissing the ground before and after flights has become a routine for Martin. He did the same last November upon landing in Malaysia and during a previous tour stop in Indonesia. While he hasn’t shared the exact reason for this act, it’s thought to stem from a near-death experience in 2005 when his plane hit a dust storm while flying over West Africa en route to Ghana with Oxfam. The plane lost visibility in the storm, and Martin later described the experience as terrifying, with the plane lurching violently until it managed to land safely.
Recently, during Coldplay’s tour in Australia, Martin also showed his caring side by rescuing a young boy from being crushed in the crowd at a Sydney concert. Noticing the boy struggling, he paused to help him to a safer viewing spot near the stage, reassuring him, “You don’t have to be squished by all these adults.”
Martin, who shares two children with his former wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, continues to bring memorable moments both on stage and in his travels.
