Remember that post I wrote a couple months ago about my proselytizing seatmate? Turns out he had another issue as well: pungent body odor.
Later today I will publish my flight report on Ukraine International Airlines’ flagship Kiev to New York route. That report will dwell on the seat and service: I don’t want it to be sidetracked by my seatmate. But I’ve never had an experience like this one.
The proselytizing did not begin till the final 90 minutes of the flight. The body odor was present from the very start. As my seatmate sat down, the stench was unmistakable: the gentleman needed a shower and needed one fast. Perhaps it was coming from his body, perhaps he ahd just worn the same clothes for several days, but whatever it was, it was overwhelming.
Sadly, the business class cabin (only 12 seats) was full, so there was nowhere I could move.
Grin and Bear It?
Most airlines have procedures to remove passengers with body odor. Perhaps Ukraine International Airlines did as well, but this would be one of those borderline cases. The smell was there even if I leaned against the window as far away from his as possible. It was unpleasant. But it was not so overwhelming that I could not survive, I was just particularly uncomfortable.
For the duration of the flight, I breathed through my mouth. Unfortunately, the gentleman leaned in to talk during the final 90 minutes of the flight and the smell was even stronger.
CONCLUSION
So a couple takeaways. Few are immune to body odor…but I certainly can detect it the moment it rears its ugly head. I wonder if this man recognized and ignored it or was oblivious to it, like he was oblivious to the fact that a conversation usually involves speaking AND listening. Second, I don’t think I was wrong to “grin and bear it” even though it made for an uncomfortable flight. What’s the alternative? Throw the guy off when the New York flight doesn’t operate for another 48 hours?
I do implore my fellow passengers to treat others the way you wish to be treated: that includes smelling nice if you want those seated around you to do the same. The trip report will be published soon and I will make reference to this only in passing. It required a post of its own!
Wait…why would you purposely breathe through your nose if the odor was so bad? Would breathing through your mouth not have been a better idea?
Just a typo. Indeed, breathing through my nose would have been quite stupid…
Did you debate with yourself whether or not to tell him? I’ve had this happen to me, thinking through the pros and cons of telling my neighbor, but ultimately decided against it. We never talked during the 4 hour flight. If I had been forced into conversation maybe I would have ultimately said something.
It never crossed my mind to tell him. I figured it would be incredibly rude.
what was he trying to converting you to? does his odor have to do with religion?
I wrote about the religious aspect — it is in the link of the first paragraph. I doubt that has anything to do with it.
I had someone behind me on a flight from Nice to Brussels. Short flight, so I figured it wasn’t worth the bother. 10 hours is worth kicking the guy off.
i would have moved to any seat in coach
Smelling nice on a plane = smelling like nothing. Perfumes are just as bad (and can cause illness for fellow passengers).
100% Agree
Maybe you could have engaged him in conversation by telling him that your parents named you after the Gospel writer. Then, you could have followed that up with, “I have always believed that cleanliness is next to godliness, don’t you agree?” 🙂
It must have been torturous enduring that for a whole 10 – hours aboard an airplane. Rudeness was never an option you did just great by enduring it. Personal hygiene and smelling good are good business.