Let’s not beat around the bush: passengers aboard a plane tend to smell a bit after 14+ hour flights. And even if the flight wasn’t that long, people have been traveling through airports and elsewhere all day before and after they fly on a plane. Going that long without a shower is bound to build body odor, but typically not the smell of rotten seafood or a dirty toilet. Yet, that’s exactly what passengers on a Delta flight to New York had to deal with when they boarded their plane.
Once enough people complained, a Delta flight attendant sprayed the aisle with air freshener, which could have made things slightly better or way worse, depending on your nasal sensitivity. “Plane smelled like rotten seafood or urine/feces,” one of the passengers said bluntly, posting a photo of the flight attendant spraying the aisle on r/delta. “When did we normalize not cleaning planes?” they questioned, frustrated by how miserable the smell would be on the approximately 4-hour flight from a Caribbean island to JFK. “A great reminder to all of these premium brand claims from Delta (and others) are all a facade,” they remarked.
While a flight situation like this sounds absolutely horrid to be in, one Reddit commenter, a pilot, cleared the air as to what exactly the passenger was smelling aboard their plane. “This is a 321neo. [It’s] Often used to haul seafood from the West Coast,” they explained. For example, one Airbus A321neo for Azores Airlines broke a record for transporting actual tons of fresh fish in Portugal. Considering OP’s plane was starting in the Caribbean, it’s highly likely it had fresh seafood in its cargo or just had some delivered. However, there’s also a high chance that said cargo was either compromised or wasn’t closed off enough to keep its smell from seeping into the cabin.
Even though the explanation is sound, the passenger still feels Delta could have done a better job of making sure the plane was clean and comfortable for those aboard beforehand. “’Our priority on this flight is a safe, clean, and comfortable flight’ 🤣,” they laughed, mockingly. They said they would even prefer being charged extra for having the plane cleaned out properly before takeoff. That said, this isn’t the first time someone has complained on r/delta about a fishy flight.
Dealing with a ‘Post-Fish Flight’ Isn’t Uncommon
Just a month ago, someone else posted a similar story, saying how the captain announced to those on board that they would need to be “patient with the smell.” Apparently, the plane had also been used to transport raw fish, but the stench was still lingering. Whatever the case, Delta and other airlines will always strive to save money for bigger profits, even if it means transporting fish with people. Though, it would be nice if those paying hundreds to thousands for their flight didn’t have to smell raw seafood for the duration of their trip.
