I Refuse to Sit Next to a Meat-Eater on a Long Flight—The Smell Is Unbearable

Flying can be stressful enough without unexpected annoyances, but one flight I took recently became a nightmare, all because of one passenger and his giant tuna sandwich. If you’ve ever been trapped next to someone eating a smelly meal on a plane, you’ll know exactly how awful it feels. But, somehow, it got all worse, and some people believe it was my fault.

Hi Bright Side! Here’s my awful flight experience.

The man sitting right next to me on an 8-hour flight pulled out a massive tuna sandwich. At first, I thought, okay, no big deal. But as soon as he took his first bite, I realized it was going to be a long trip.

The soggy bread, the stale tuna filling, and the constant finger licking made every second feel like pure torture. The smell alone was hard to ignore in the cramped airplane cabin.

It wasn’t just the sandwich itself — it was also the way he ate it so loudly and unapologetically that made me cringe every time. Then, the tension grew.

The passenger suddenly looked over at me and said, “You look like you could use a snack. Do you want some?” I tried to keep calm and replied, “I’m fine, but thanks for the unsolicited offer.”

Instead of backing off, he scoffed and shot back, “Some people are just miserable.”

Things got worse for me.

I thought it couldn’t get worse until he called the flight attendant, pointed at me, and yelled, “This woman is making me uncomfortable, she keeps staring at me.” Suddenly, I felt like the problem, not the guy eating the tuna sandwich inches from my face.

I told the flight attendant I wanted him to switch seats. I couldn’t bear the smell or the rude man anymore. I refused to sit next to a meat-eater. She said she couldn’t move the man because he was sitting next to his child, and airline rules don’t allow separating families.

So, instead of moving him, she moved me — right next to an infant and a 2-year-old.

The crying and screaming began almost immediately and lasted for the entire flight. Between the loud kids and the lingering smell of tuna, my flight experience quickly turned from uncomfortable to miserable.

When I looked at the man angrily, he grinned evilly. I begged for another seat, but the flight attendant kept delaying my request or making excuses.

I heard murmurs of people talking about my “fight” with the man, and while some took my side, many stood up for the man. Was it really my fault? I didn’t even say a word until he did.

Is it so wrong to stick to your principles and beliefs? I’d like to know your unbiased opinions on the matter.

“I’ve always believed in supporting my coworkers, but when support turns into being taken advantage of, it’s a different story...” A woman shared her experience with a pregnant colleague, asking for advice in our previous letter. Read it here: I Refuse to Give My Pregnant Coworker VIP Treatment—She’s Not a Queen