A FLIGHT attendant has revealed the worst things passengers can eat on a plane – unless they want to annoy their fellow travellers.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, tuna and egg are the top things to avoid opening when in the plane cabin.
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Shanie Peralta, a flight attendant and a member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, explained her top tips for passengers and the things people should and should not pack for a flight to eat.
Shanie, 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.
However, to make the journey easier on everyone, here are the top things to leave at home next time you are hungry before a flight.
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Smelly food
While it seems like common sense, taking any food that is strongly pungent such as eggs and fish are not to be brought on board.
Shanie said it makes the cabin smell “immediately” and permeates the entire cabin pretty quickly, making it difficult for everyone on board.
Writer Natalie Compton shared her own worst story after she brought a simple chicken wrap.
She said that the “potent aroma” of garlic was quickly spread through the recycled air of the cabin, ruining the flight for everyone.
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Messy food
Choosing snacks and meals which leave a mess will quickly make you the least favourite traveller for both passengers and flight crew who have to clean up afterwards.
While some crumbs and spills are inevitable, items such as biscuits, crisps and even bowls of soup are not advised.
Fizzy drinks are also commonly spilled everywhere when opened so wait for the drinks cart when crew can pour it for themselves without making a mess.
Shanie added that parents should think of the snacks they bring with their kids, as they often result in “crushed cookies and chocolate smeared on the seat”.
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Allergy foods
Some airlines, such as easyJet, have banned nuts from their cabin to help passengers with allergies, as the recycled air means it could be fatal for severe sufferers.
While nuts are a popular snack of choice, next time leave it at home, as other airlines will ask passengers not to open them if alerted to someone who is allergic.
Shellfish is also a common allergy, and one to avoid packing – as well as falling under being too smelly for the cabin.
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Your own booze
In the UK, it is illegal to drink your own alcohol onto a flight, and only wine, beer and spirits from the trolley are allowed.
Even if the booze was bought from Duty Free or is under 100ml, neither is allowed to be consumed.
Shanie also explained to drink in moderation even if the alcohol is free on board.
She said: “If [you’re] affecting the security and the safety of passengers, we have to intervene and call the captain”.
If the flight ends up diverting, it becomes a costly mistake for the passenger in question, as well as hours of delay for other travellers.
If you hear a flight attendant saying “hot coffee” it might not mean the drink, and instead that they fancy you.
Passengers who want to get upgraded should also avoid picking a special meal on a flight as it could hinder your chances.
Sometimes it is better to take your own food – we’ve rounded up the worst plane meals passengers have been served during a flight.
