THERE are few things worse than being trapped on a plane next to someone eating smelly food.
However, there are no real rules about what you can and can’t bring on board to eat – with the exception of one piece of fruit.
Getty – ContributorThe durian is popular in Asian cuisine but is well known because of its smell[/caption]
The durian is actually quite popular in some Asian cuisines, but its smell is so pungent that almost all airlines won’t allow it on board.
In fact, most won’t even let you bring some in your checked luggage, in case its odour escapes into the cabin.
China Southern Airlines, who provide some flights for British Airways, specifically list the fruit on its list of prohibited items, due to its unpleasant scent.
They aren’t the only ones either, with Air New Zealand‘s website advising: “durian fruit cannot be carried, either on your person, in carry-on or in checked in luggage.”
According to Stuff NZ, only budget Philippines airline Cebu Pacific say that they will let passengers bring the fruit on board, provided it is stored in the hold and not in the cabin.
Their website states: “Odorous or foul smelling fruits (like durian) will only be accepted as checked baggage.”
Durian has caused problems for airlines before, with its smell once even delaying a flight.
Passengers on-board an Indonesian plane carrying the fruit nearly came to blows with cabin crew over the stench.
The Sriwijaya Air flight immediately descended into chaos when passengers boarded because of a sickening smell caused by sacks of durian in the jet’s baggage hold.
Furious travellers on the plane felt so nauseated by the fruit’s potent stench that they demanded it be unloaded before take off.
Amir Zidane, who was appalled by the smell, later posted online: “When I entered the plane, I could already smell the scent of durian.
“I complained to the stewardess but they told me to just fill up a complaint form.
“I yelled at other passengers: ‘Who on this plane wants to fly?’
“They all chanted back: ‘Not us!’”
Eventually, pressure on the cabin crew forced them to unload the horrible fruit – with the domestic flight setting off an hour later than scheduled from Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.
Sriwijaya Air later defended its decision to carry the smelly fruit according to local newspapers.
It’s understandable that no airlines will allow passengers to eat the fruit on board, with people grossed out by much less fragrant items of food.
A recent passenger was subject to passive aggressive comments after taking a burger they had bought in the airport on a flight.
They took to Reddit to find out whether or not they were in the wrong for eating on board the aircraft.
They wrote: “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.
“I have an eight hour flight with a short connection. The first flight only served a small cracker pack and the second will be the same.
“Once I got to my connecting gate, 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.
“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 first I ignored her and kept on eating but she complained louder.
“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.”
However, other people felt the person had every right to take the burger on board and that those complaining were in the wrong.
One said: “This is a plane, not this woman’s personal living room. I cannot believe how rude some people are on planes.”
One flight attendant told passengers which foods they should avoid bringing on board planes.
Shanie Peralta, who worked for a regional carrier between the US and the Caribbean, told New Zealand Herald: “It is a small minority of people who bring food on-board, but you do get offenders who like to bring egg salad or tuna sandwiches.”
She added that the majority of people don’t think they have done anything wrong when bringing offending food on board.
Meanwhile, you could be kicked off your plane for being too smelly.
And this passenger was slammed for eating smelly eggs while waiting for a flight.
GettyThe fruit is banned by most airlines for being too pungent[/caption] Read More