The Good, the Bad, and the Smelly on an Airplane

I’m sure most of you have heard about the man who recently opened a can of tuna during a flight and made little sandwiches, as if he were in his kitchen at home. He even ate it with a fork! At least he was a mannerly passenger when it came to his dining skills, but it is not polite to bring a pungent food, like tuna or hard-boiled eggs, on a flight. While there are no guidelines against bringing tuna on board, the rules of civility may disagree. Any strong scent on a plane is a recipe for a potential problem. As for the etiquette of eating tuna on an airplane, it is most courteous to fellow passengers to avoid strong smells, food, and cologne, as a courtesy.

Some people are easily prone to motion sickness, and sitting next to a passenger who is biting into an egg salad or tuna sandwich makes it uncomfortable for those sitting around them. While some people may not have a problem with a mild scent, such as body lotion, or a light, fragranced cologne, know that fish, feet, and fajitas may be another story.

Ask for Assistance

What to do if you’re sitting next to someone biting into a disposable tray of egg salad on the flight? If you are truly feeling nauseous, you can certainly ask the flight attendant for assistance in finding another seat, if possible. You might also let your neighbor know you’re finding it difficult to sit next to them while they are eating their food, and request they either put it away, or finish it up quickly. This is a big ask, and it’s most appropriate for the passenger to finish their strong-smelling food before boarding the plane.

It should not be up to fellow passengers to politely request that you put your food away. It might start an onboard argument, and that’s why it’s best to ask assistance from the flight attendant if the smell is really bothersome or you are allergic.

Consider Those with Allergies

If someone is sitting next to you eating a bag of peanuts, and you are severely allergic to nuts, you can certainly inform them that you have a serious allergy and immediately let the flight attendant know so they can assist in finding another seat. The right thing to do for the passenger eating the peanuts is to put them away so they don’t cause a medical emergency. It’s crucial to let the airline know of any serious allergies in advance so they are aware of the situation.

Keep it Light

A friendly comment, such as “Will you be finished with your sandwich soon? It’s quite strong and overpowering,” spoken in a lighthearted tone, might expedite the dining ceremony. Approaching the situation with humor, rather than anger, may keep the communication light.

Bottom Line

Just like you may not confront a colleague for smelling badly in the office, or doing something that is annoying such as smacking your gum, or clipping your nails at your desk, asking your supervisor to address it may be a better route than confronting the colleague head on. The same approach goes for the flight attendant if there is a big issue you are encountering.

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