‘Eggs and Steamed Broccoli Should Be Considered a Flight Risk’: Woman Endures 16-Hour Flight Next to the Smelliest Seatmates Imaginable
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – A TikTok user’s nightmare 16-hour flight has gone viral after she found herself sitting next to a couple who brought perhaps the most pungent possible meal to eat onboard — two dozen hard-boiled eggs and a bowl of steamed broccoli.
TikTok creator Jordan Hel (@jordan_hel) documented her experience in a video that’s now been viewed more than 1.2 million times, showing her trying to block the smell with her hoodie pulled tight over her face.
“Who did I piss off in a former life?” she wrote in the caption. “That is, in fact, two dozen peeled hard-boiled eggs which were consumed beside a homemade bowl of steamed broccoli for the entire 16-hour flight.”
A Smelly Situation at 35,000 Feet
Hel’s clip pans toward the couple seated beside her, who appear to be calmly eating their in-flight feast — complete with bowls of eggs, heaps of shells, and freshly steamed broccoli. The smell, she says, was “unbearable” for most of the journey.
Dozens of viewers agreed, calling it one of the most inconsiderate moves imaginable on a long-haul flight.
“Eggs and steamed broccoli should be considered a flight risk,” one commenter wrote.
“Sorry you got seated next to Mr. and Mrs. Fart,” another joked.
“Only thing missing is microwaved fish,” one person added.
TSA Allows It — But Should You Bring It?
While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) technically allows passengers to bring hard-boiled eggs and steamed vegetables through airport security, flight attendants say that doesn’t make it a good idea.
According to Reader’s Digest, solid foods like sandwiches, chips, and boiled eggs are permitted in carry-on bags — as long as they aren’t liquids or spreads over 3.4 ounces. But flight crews frequently beg travelers to reconsider smelly foods on board.
A viral Reddit thread cited by Yahoo Creators revealed that flight attendants rank eggs, tuna, and garlicky meals among the worst in-flight offenses.
“Anything with a fishy or eggy smell should be banned,” one crew member said. Another added, “A passenger once ate three egg salad sandwiches on a 90-minute flight. I nearly threw up.”
Etiquette Experts Agree: “Stay in Your Bubble”
Etiquette professionals say airline courtesy extends beyond personal space — it includes scent control.
“The most important etiquette rule on an airplane is to stay within your bubble,” said Nick Leighton, co-host of the podcast Were You Raised By Wolves? “Sounds need to stay within your bubble. And of course, smells need to stay within your bubble.”
Foods to avoid include eggs, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic-heavy dishes, fish, fast food, and curry — all of which can emit strong odors or cause gas in pressurized cabins.
Instead, experts recommend neutral snacks like granola bars, fruit, veggie sticks, hummus, or sandwiches made with turkey or chicken.
@jordan_hel who did I piss off in a former life? (that is, in fact, two dozen peeled hard boiled eggs which were consumed beside a homemade bowl of steamed broccoli for the entire 16 hour flight)
Viral Lesson in Airplane Etiquette
Though Hel’s ordeal is now trending as one of the most relatable “airplane horror stories” on TikTok, many commenters thanked her for highlighting an issue that frequent fliers say happens far too often.
“People are so disrespectful,” one viewer wrote. “There’s no way they thought this was normal.”
The incident has reignited online debates about whether airlines should ban certain foods from cabins entirely — or whether passengers simply need a refresher in basic courtesy.
For now, Hel’s advice rings loud and clear: if you’re planning a long flight, leave the boiled eggs and broccoli at home.
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