It's easy to get annoyed on an airplane. The food is terrible, you don't have any space, and sometimes you have the misfortune to sit next to a screaming toddler. But no matter how bad it feels, remember that it could always be worse. Sure, it sucks when you get some bad turbulence from a strong gust of wind. But it's better than your neighbors breaking wind.
A Transavia Airlines flight was traveling from Dubai to Amsterdam, when an altercation broke out between three passengers. One passenger was farting loudly, and could not, or would not restrain himself. It is not clear if he had a medical condition, or was just being obnoxious. In any event, his flatulence greatly offended two Dutch men, who despite being Dutch, were not keen to be part of a Dutch oven. After exchanging harsh words, the two parties got into a fist fight.
Due to the ruckus, the pilot had to make an unscheduled landing in Vienna. After getting reports about "passengers on the rampage," Austrian police boarded the aircraft and removed four passengers from the flight. The officers escorted two Dutch men away - presumably the same two Dutch men who were offended by the man breaking wind, although that has not yet been confirmed. In addition, two young women were kicked off the plane.
One of the young women identified herself as "Nora L.," while her sister did not give her name. They hail from Rotterdam, and complained to the local media in Austria that they had been unfairly removed from the flight. "It was crazy that we were included," said Nora, "We had no idea who these boys were, we just had the bad luck to be in the same row and we didn't do anything." Transavia Airlines banned all four of the booted passengers from future flights, so the ladies had find another airline to take them to Amsterdam. (But hey, at least that flight smelled better.)
There were no arrests made after the incident. While one man violated the fresh air of the cabin, nobody violated any Austrian laws. (Also, it is unclear if in Austrian society they abide by the rule of 'he who smelt it, dealt it.')
I feel bad for the other passengers. We've all been on a flight that got delayed before, whether due to the weather, or an unexpected detour, or they're waiting to pull up on the runway. Can you imagine being on a plane that had to make an unscheduled stop because some passengers got in a fight over farting? That situation stinks for everyone. If that's the sort of clientele on Transavia, a low-cost airline, it might be worth it to kick in a few extra bucks and pick a different service. Or invest in a gas mask.
A disgruntled man was allegedly removed from an American Airlines flight after his angry farts caused a bit of a commotion.
Who said air travel isn't fun?
Unless you're traveling in business or first class, getting on a plane can be a stressful experience because you know that your legs are about to lose all feeling and you might not know who will be seated next to you.
I used to dread vacations because the smell of airplane food would make me feel sick... but apparently, that was nothing compared to what some people are dealing with while traveling.
Taking to Reddit, a passenger wrote how an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Austin faced an unexpected delay due to a passenger allegedly engaging in excessive flatulence.
The man began farting aggressively on the plane. Credit: EllenMoran/Getty
The Reddit user recalled the disgruntled passenger displaying audible signs of discontent, potentially due to being hungover, immediately after boarding the flight.
According to the witness, the individual was grumbling under his breath, expressing frustration with phrases like "f****** hell."
Once most passengers were seated, the man reportedly made a bizarre comment, saying: "You thought that was rude? Well, how about this smell?" before audibly releasing a loud fart.
The disruptive passenger continued his antics by encouraging others to intensify the smelly experience, stating: "Yeah, everybody, let’s just eat the smelliest food possible all at the same time."
Things escalated when a fellow traveler spoke up, suggesting the disruptive passenger should fly privately if he wasn't enjoying flying in economy.
The farting created an uncomfortable experience on the plane. Credit: martin-dm/Getty
Another passenger chimed in, labeling the flatulence instigator as the rude one in the scenario.
Flight attendants eventually stepped in, urging everyone to stop arguing. However, as the plane taxied toward the runway, it suddenly came to a halt. The flight crew announced: "Apologies for the interruption, but we are returning to the gate. We will provide more information when we have it."
Upon reaching the gate, a flight attendant informed the flatulent passenger that he could not remain on the flight. Despite his confusion, the passenger complied, exiting the plane with his belongings without further incident.
The witness on Reddit expressed relief when the disruptive passenger was removed, stating: "We all breathed a sigh of relief when he was removed; I think most people were on edge about what he may say or do next."
Another passenger on the same flight confirmed the unconventional experience, describing it as a "stinky flight" with various odors competing for attention.
Traveling on planes can be a smelly experience. Credit: imagedepotpro/Getty
They commended American Airlines for their swift handling of the situation, as the post stated they were only delayed by around 15-20 minutes.
There's nothing worse than being trapped in a plane with a bad smell... so please stop bringing stinky food with you, and maybe try to only release bodily gases in the toilet cubicle, for everyone's sake.
American Airlines has yet to comment publicly or confirm the incident.
A woman with stomach issues who was kicked off a flight has taken to social media to rant about the way she was treated.
Joanna Chiu, a renowned political journalist, was booted off the Canadian airline West Jet for using the toilet one too many time before take off.
"Just got kicked off a @WestJet flight from Mexico because I had an upset stomach and was going to the washroom too much before takeoff," Chiu wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "No promise of a hotel or rebooked flight. I had meds and was on the mend."
"If you're sick before a flight, hold it in..." she added.
In follow-up tweets, she also talked about how she was treated by the supervisor who allegedly refused to be any of any help during what was clearly a difficult time for the writer.
"In my rush to get off plane alone, I left my money with travel companions and @WestJet supervisor refused to pay for my taxi to a hotel 20 min away," she wrote. "He called a guard over to intimidate me but when I burst into tears the guard assessed rightly that Westjet dude was the a******."
Chiu went on to state that the only reason she had to "air" this "publicly" was because she didn't get the help she needed at the time which included no booking reference, or transport to a hotel.
The post received mixed reactions, with some stating that the airline did what was right, while others weren't too fond of their treatment of the author.
"As a former flight attendant, they made the right call. I can't vouch for how they communicated to/with you, but the decision wasn't wrong," wrote one user, while another harshly added: "If you’re sick before a flight DON’T FLY. Period. You are one incredibly selfish person."
A third also agreed, writing: "I'm hopeful the lesson learned here is not to fly if you are ill. Diarrhea can cause low blood pressure at higher altitudes due to fluid losses. Plus the risk of transmission to others. Definitely the right call by WestJet!"
However, not everyone was siding with the airline, with this user commenting: "What?!? Getting kicked off a flight for using the lavatory? That's what the lav is for..."
"Oy. Sorry that happened to you. Yikes," another user added.
The airline has now responded to the drama in a statement to TooFab, apologizing to Chiu for the way the matter was handled.
WestJet Airlines has now reached out to Chiu after her post went viral on X. Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty
"We sincerely apologize to Ms. Chiu for the inconvenience and discomfort she experienced during her recent travel experience, including the communication delay that occurred as she awaited an appropriate re-accommodation option," the statement read.
"Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority and therefore we take any health-related concerns very seriously. While unexpected illness can occur while travelling, maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all guests and crew members is paramount," the statement continued. "In circumstances where a guest is deemed unfit to travel due to illness, our crew are trained to make difficult, but required decisions in the name of safety."
WestJet also added that they immediately reached out to Chiu after learning about her experience via X.
"Upon learning of Ms. Chiu's experience via X last week, our Social Care team immediately reached out directly to her to ensure she was provided with a re-accommodation option and to receive any feedback on her experience," WestJet concluded.
A mother who witnessed a disgruntled man who was "annoyed by [their] very presence" on board a cross country flight has written an impassioned open letter on the subject, in the hopes of encouraging people to think about the bigger picture before making others feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.
The mom shared a lengthy open letter with the page Momstrosity on Facebook, breaking down what had happened and how relieved she felt when a kindly flight attendant helped to rectify the situation. Here's what she wrote;
"To the Gentleman on Flight 1451,
"I first noticed you when you sighed loudly as you laid eyes on me and my toddler boarding the plane.
"In a momentary lapse of judgement, we sat behind you. It was the nearest set of seats, and I couldn’t wait to put my child and our heavy bags down.
"From the over dramatic huffs and puffs you let out as we buckled in, it was clear that you were annoyed by our very presence.
"At this point, my little girl was laughing and playing, obviously too loud for your liking.
"I wondered if you had a bad day, or if this grouchy temperament was your normal behavior.
"I wondered if your wife was embarrassed as she quietly nodded at your frustrations.
"I wondered if you had children of your own.
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"I wondered a lot about you. Did you wonder about us?
"Did you wonder about this mom and little girl who were flying alone? We were so excited to go on an adventure, but I was also very nervous.
"This was the first time that I had ever flown with a child, and I was making half of the trip without my husband.
"For weeks, I researched tips for flying with kids. I packed toys and games and books and downloaded movies.
"I dosed up my child with Benadryl, to make sure any leftover traces of sinus infection didn’t make her ears hurt and to help her rest, but it didn’t work. She only slept 20 minutes on a cross country flight.
"I did everything in my power to keep her calm and quiet. I shushed her, and made sure her little feet didn’t kick your seat.
"As we took off, her tears started. The kicking and the screaming tantrums came on fast.
"She had been up since early morning. She hadn’t eaten much because she didn’t want airport food.
"She was recovering from the tail end of a sinus infection, and I wondered if the pressure from the altitude hurt her ears.
"She was exhausted and fussy.
"You did not let up with your mutters of annoyance and looks over your shoulder. You even shoved the back of the sear towards us.
"I apologized to everyone around me. I almost started crying myself.
"I was feeling shame and guilt for not being able to control my own child."
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook]]
This is when a flight attendant's simple actions helped the mom out, and a few kind words helped sooth both mother and daughter
"I was at the end of my rope, but then, an angel to the rescue- the flight attendant came by and gave my daughter a cup and straw to play with.
"And just like that, the screams stopped and my baby was suddenly content.
"The kind attendant told us, “It’s ok! Flying is tough on everyone, and you are both doing great!”
"Somehow, her kindness calmed my baby.
"Somehow, her simple words made me feel better.
"She was right. We were doing great! We were doing our best, and that’s as great as it gets.
"The problem wasn’t with us, it was with you.
"What you need to know, is that while children can be terribly inconvenient now, they will run the world when you are old and grey.
"Kids can be annoying and downright obnoxious, but they are also innovative and brilliant.
"These kids might one day discover the cure for the type of cancer that runs in your family.
"They can be selfish and loud, but they can also be precious and loving.
"They might grow up to build systems and make laws that benefit us all.
"They may grow up to serve others in a way that makes us wish we could go in time back and do it all over again.
"They are the future.
"They are gifts to their family, to their community, and to the world.
"We will need them one day, and they need us now.
"They need a kind word. They need the novelty of a plastic cup and conversation from a new friend.
"They need someone to look square in their mama’s nervous eyes and tell them that they are doing great, and that everything is going to be ok.
"If you can’t muster up a smile and a hello, then simple silence will do just fine.
"I get it, kids can be a nuisance, but next time you are forced to be near one, I hope that you will be more like the flight attendant. I hope that instead of frustration and annoyance, you feel hope and goodness.
"This world certainly has enough negativity without us adding to it, and just maybe the kindness you give out today, will be returned to you in the future."
An important takeaway message from the letter is to bear in mind the consequences that even seemingly innocuous actions can have, and that one simple act of kindness and solidarity can help turn a situation on its head for the better.
Flying is a difficult experience for most people. Between the dry cabin air, cramped seating and bathroom inaccessibility, it's hard to stomach too many hours on an airplane. It's even harder when a physical altercation breaks out in the aisle next to you.
Yesterday, Julia Scorupco tweeted a video of a fight she witnessed on her flight. Amidst a string of profanities, a woman became aggressive with her boyfriend, supposedly even slapping him off-camera at one point, judging by the gasps that follow.
The argument started when the woman accused her boyfriend - who we later learn is named Memo - of having a lingering gaze. She tells him to "shut the f*ck up" before asking "you wanna f*cking try to look at other women? F*ck you."
When a flight attendant alerted the woman that there was a child seated behind her, the woman responded "yeah I know, I f*cking consoled the f*cking child."
Next, she blamed her boyfriend for starting the fight, though we hadn't heard him audibly say anything at this point. When a flight attendant attempted to further deescalate the situation, she yelled: "He's the f*cking problem."
But the staff clearly saw that Memo was not the problem. So, they asked her to bring her bag to the front of the plane. The woman, however, refused to go anywhere without her wayward boyfriend.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]
When the woman threatened Memo to never come back to her house again, or she'd call the police, we hear the boyfriend for the first time say that the woman was out of control. At this point, the flight attendants motioned for the man to come with them instead, probably thinking that he'd be more cooperative. And they were right. Memo climbed over his girlfriend (though I bet they're not still dating at this point) to the aisle.
But she wasn't going to let Memo get away that easily, at least not without a fight. She followed her man and swiftly brought a laptop down over his head. You read that right. I can't help but wonder what she was watching on Netflix before she assaulted Memo.
Next, she repeatedly hit him over the head with her fist. We hear patrons in the cabin scream. Rightfully so.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]
When the woman turned around to try to return to her seat, the flight attendant stopped her. But she pushed back, saying: "I'm going to go get my purse." Who wouldn't go back for a pink, sparkly backpack?
When the flight attendant asked the man if he was okay, the woman proceeded to get even angrier, and we hear an off-camera voice tells her she's going to be charged with assault, to which she responds "yeah, whatever" before running after her boyfriend saying "oh yeah, Memo?"
Most angry responses to the tweet comment on the woman's frequent use of the n-word in the video.
An outraged airline worker had an argument with a passenger after he made one of her colleagues upset.
The heated exchange between a member of staff and the passenger took place on IndiGo airline as the flight traveled from Istanbul to Delhi, as reported by the Daily Mail.
In the video that went viral on social media - amassing 14K likes on Twitter - the woman was heard urging the customer to stop "pointing your finger at me and yelling at me, my crew is crying because of you".
According to NTDV, the dispute was allegedly sparked after the male passenger asked for a sandwich from one of the cabin crew members. He was informed that they would check if one was available before he began to shout at staff.
Check out the video below:
In the footage, the airline hostess said: "Please try to understand, there is a cart and counted meals are uplifted [on the plane]. We can only serve what you're boarding."
The man then cut her off and said: "Why are you yelling?" before the crew member furiously yelled back: "Because you are yelling at us."
"I am so sorry sir but you do not talk to the crew like that. I am peacefully listening to you with all due respect, but you have to respect the crew as well," she added.
The passenger then questioned how he had disrespected the flight attendant and was slammed for pointing his fingers at the airline crew.
The argument escalated further after the man shouted "shut up" at the woman, to which she responded: "You shut up, I'm sorry you cannot talk to me like that... I'm an employee, I'm not your servant."
After the dispute concluded, the female attendant could be seen pulling her face mask over her nose and mouth and then walking away.
Online users were divided after watching the video, with one person writing: "Well done young woman, very well done. Stands her ground, makes her point & gives back as good as she gets. Dear @IndiGo6E Please appreciate her. This is how to treat unruly passengers."
While another person commented: "I don't see anything wrong in what she did. The guy was rude and she stood up for her team."
Meanwhile, the third user disagreed with the situation and wrote: "Customer facing jobs are most difficult because you will have to deal with all kinds of people. The passenger may or may not be wrong here but if you're shouting at customers like this in the service industry you're definitely not a good employee and not made for the industry."
A spokesperson for IndiGo shared a statement about the incident to the outlet, saying: "We are aware of the incident that took place on flight 6E 12 from Istanbul to Delhi on December 16, 2022."
"The issue was related to meals chosen by certain passengers traveling via a codeshare connection," they wrote. "IndiGo is cognizant of the needs of its customers and it is our constant endeavor to provide a courteous and hassle-free experience to our customers."
"We are looking into the incident and would like to assure that customers' comfort has always been our top priority. We are committed to providing the best experience at all times," they added.
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