Air travel often comes with its own set of challenges, but one passenger’s experience on an American Airlines flight from Anchorage to Seattle has taken discomfort to a whole new level. TikToker Ally recently shared a seven-second video on TikTok that quickly went viral, garnering 1.3 million views, as she documented what she called a “crime against humanity” — a fellow passenger opening a can of tuna onboard.
In her video, Ally captured the moment the man beside her cracked open his can of tuna along with a sleeve of Ritz crackers, which immediately released a pungent odor into the confined space of the airplane. She captioned the post, “Canned tuna on the plane gotta be up there in terms of crimes against humanity.” Her ordeal didn’t end there, as she continued to describe the series of unfortunate events that followed.
Initially hopeful for a peaceful flight due to an empty middle seat, Ally’s anticipation quickly turned to despair when the tuna-carrying passenger claimed the spot. She described being hit with a “wall of smell” moments after he sat down. Just ten minutes after takeoff, the offending can was opened, marking the beginning of what she termed a “nightmare flight.”
To add to her woes, Ally fell asleep briefly, only to awaken to a new unpleasant combination of odors: the man’s Bloody Mary cocktail mixing with the lingering scent of tuna. Her discomfort escalated as she noticed the passenger feverishly scratching at a bloody scab on his body, intensifying her aversion to the situation. Unfortunately, when the man finally fell asleep, his loud snoring kept Ally from finding any peace during the flight.
Ally’s experience resonates with many travelers, especially given a survey by travel website Kayak revealing that 92% of people believe pungent foods should be avoided on planes. Notably, 89% of respondents specifically identified “tinned fish” as a major offender in terms of onboard food choices.
While American Airlines does allow passengers to bring most foods on board, they encourage travelers to be considerate of others and refrain from strong-smelling items. The incident has sparked discussions about food etiquette in air travel and the importance of maintaining a comfortable environment for all passengers.
Ally’s viral TikTok serves as a humorous yet cautionary tale about food choices during air travel. As more travelers share their experiences, it remains clear that maintaining etiquette onboard can make the journey more pleasant for everyone involved.
