Entitled plane passenger demands seatmate get rid of their meal: 'I finally told her... she's out of luck'

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jan 1, 2025 11:00 AM EST

What's the smelliest food someone could bring on an airplane? Blue cheese? Fish? Raw onions and garlic? There are many options that smell strongly enough to irk one's seatmates. But what about food that smells strong in a way that makes your mouth water? Is it worse to have an onion-breathed seatmate sitting six inches from you, or a guy who's scarfing down a burger, fries, and a milkshake that looks so good you want to steal it from him? 

That's the dilemma for the passengers of this person's flight. u/Flightstatus0 writes that they were rushing from one flight to the next, and they hardly had time to get to their connecting flight. If you've ever had to do that mad dash, you know how stressful it can be to race full speed toward your connecting flight's gate. Once you make it, it's a huge relief, and this person even had time to snag a quick meal before the flight boarded. They realized they could take their fast-food meal onto the plane, and happily did so. However, the passenger next to them was very unhappy with this development. Neither person was doing anything wrong here, really, but it still caused a dispute between the two passengers. Keep scrolling to read the full story, plus the input from helpful commenters. 

Up next, read about the worst gifts people have ever received, like one person whose "mother-in-law bought me a dust broom and she deducted the cost of it." 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10448762624
    via S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash+

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    AITA for eating during a flight even when the neighbor asked me not to because she can't stand the smell?
    via U/Flightstatus0
  • 03
    This is happening right now and the lady sitting next to me is glaring daggers at me while making passive aggressive comment under her breath.
    via U/Flightstatus0
  • 04
    I have a 8 hour flight with a short connection. The 1st flight only served a small cracker pack and the 2nd will be the same. During the connection, I only had barely enough time to run from one end of the airport to the other. Once I got to my connecting gate, I found out I had enough time to order food but not eat it. I checked with the gate agent to see if I can bring food onboard and she happily reassured me that I could. I went and got a burger, fries, and a drink.
    via U/Flightstatus0
  • 05
    When I was allowed to put the tray down, I did and started to eat. This is when the lady sitting next to me told me she doesn't eat meat or fried foods and the smell of my burger and fries are making her sick. At 1st I ignored her and kept on eating but she complained louder. I finally told her I bought the food after checking with the gate agent and I'm hungry so she's out of luck. She called the flight attendant and was told that I'm well within my rights to eat food that was
    via U/Flightstatus0
  • 06
    bought at the airport. I know I'm right when it comes to the airline rules but the food is pungent in an enclosed area and she's still glaring at me so am I an AH?
    via U/Flightstatus0
  • 07
    OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the ahle: 1. I kept on eating even though the lady next to me asked me not to 2. Because I kept on eating, the smell made her sick
    via U/Flightstatus0
  • 08
    namesaretooha... NTA. Feel free to glare back and make passive aggressive comments right back at her. If I was in the mood, I'd even chew with my mouth open while facing her lol.
    via U/namesaretoohardforme
  • 09
    Alternative-Wai... NTA, a burger and fries is not "pungent" Imao
    via U/Alternative-Wait3533

    Maybe pungent isn't the right word to describe it, but I know what the passenger means. A lot of fast food smells so distinct that it immediately makes you crave it! But you can't get mad at someone for having food just because you didn't think to buy it. The passenger could've also paid up like $15 and had her own fast-food feast. Since she's stuck with teeny tiny bags of pretzels and small cups of cola, she's annoyed. Let's hope she can satisfy her craving at the airport of her destination. 

  • 10
    IndependenceA... The real a hle here is the airline. I don't love smelling fast food on planes, but that's what happens when they're so stingy with onboard snacks. NTA
    via U/IndependenceAway8724
  • 11
    [deleted] NTA. She paid for coach. She gets coach.
    via U/[deleted]

    This woman had first-class entitlement with a coach ticket! 

  • 12
    Straight-Singer... NTA This is a plane, not this woman's personal living room. JFC, I cannot believe how ride some people are on planes - she needs to fly private if she wants it 100% to her demanding standards. Go ahead and eat. Say "mmmmm" and offer her a fry.
    via U/Straight-Singer-2912
  • 13
    justMe482 NTA if she would have only made a comment about the smell maybe i would have voted differently. But since she volunteered the info that she doesnt eat meat... to me that smells like a vegan trying to shame you.
    via U/justMe482
  • 14
    failure_as_a_dad NTA - the funny thing about flights is that we have to put up with minor annoyances. She has to put up with the smell of your burger and fries, and you have to put up with her entitlement.
    via U/failure_as_a_dad
  • 15
    lobosaguila NTA - she paid for her seat and that's it. Not for the right to exert her will on the people around her. Do as you must - 8 hours without food will be harder to endure an entitled passenger. The rest of the flight might be a little uncomfortable but at least you won't be hungry.
    via U/lobosaguila

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neighbors smell burger seating seats plane smelly Travel airplane flight fried fast food
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