A recent TikTok video has ignited a heated discussion about appropriate food choices during air travel. Zavier Torrence, 25, documented his experience on a flight where a fellow passenger's tuna melt created a pungent aroma throughout the cabin. While Torrence refrained from confronting the passenger directly, his video, captioned with a sarcastic suggestion of "incarceration" for in-flight eaters of strong-smelling foods, quickly gained over 700,000 views.

The video sparked a wave of comments, with some defending the right to eat during long flights, while others agreed that a tuna melt was a poor choice for an enclosed space. This incident highlights the often-un unspoken rules of air travel etiquette.

Etiquette experts weighed in on the debate. Diane Gottsman, founder of the Protocol School of Texas, advised against consuming foods with strong odors, such as tuna or hard-boiled eggs, in shared spaces like airplanes. Jacqueline Whitmore, a former flight attendant and etiquette expert, suggested that politely and respectfully addressing the issue with the offending passenger is acceptable, but emphasized the importance of a calm and non-confrontational approach.

While acknowledging the right to eat during flights, Whitmore also highlighted the consideration it would show for passengers consuming potentially offensive foods to check with those around them. Gottsman, however, pointed out that many passengers might feel pressured to give a dishonest answer in such a situation, as the offender likely already realizes the smell is bothersome.

Torrence clarified that he doesn't oppose eating on planes entirely, but rather encourages passengers to be mindful of their food choices, emphasizing "common decency" in shared spaces.