You thought the scariest part of flying was turbulence? Not after you read these stories. When flying, all you see are the polite smiles of the crew and the airline’s fancy drink carts. But imagine working there. Flight attendants have witnessed things that will make your skin crawl — drunks, disasters, shocking emergencies, and secrets you were never meant to hear. Read on… some of these appalling tales will make you wonder if the real danger of flying isn’t in the air, but in the cabin.
Taped to the Chair
Mid-flight chaos erupted as a passenger crossed a line no one should. What began as unwanted advances spiraled into an airborne spectacle no passenger would ever forget.
“Theres a video of a guy who got taped to a chair cause he was gropeing the flight attendant and assulted them” shared u/imnotapigon on Reddit.
Picture it: a man strapped down, humiliated, as the cabin watched. It’s a reminder that sometimes turbulence is not your enemy, but rather someone flying with you. Worst: they are sitting beside you.
The Man Who Demanded a Bottle of 1896 Wine
If entitled behavior could be bottled, this next passenger might have tried to drink it. After all, some requests are so absurd they leave even seasoned crew speechless.
“My auntie was a flight attendant and a guy once asked her for a bottle of 1896 wine as a drink yes the full bottle” recalled u/R2F***you_ on Reddit.
When entitlement takes flight, you can only imagine what’s next. A whole bottle of 1896 wine? Perhaps next time, he’ll demand caviar straight from the source.
Hungover Pilots and Betrayal in the Sky
And while passengers like him might demand too much, sometimes it’s those in the cockpit who bring danger aboard. One confession exposed shocking behavior behind the controls.
“Pilots are often still hungover/drunk from partying when flying the plane and they all try to sleep with the flight attendents. He then cheated on me with a flight attendent 😐” shared on r/AskReddit.
It’s the kind of revelation that makes you rethink every confident pilot greeting. Are they well-rested? Or recovering from last night’s party with your safety in their hands?
The Passenger Who Left Everyone Staring
Not all in-flight shocks come from emergencies or disasters. Sometimes, it’s a sight so strange that passengers don’t know how to react at all! Like this one.
“My FA friend was on a flight and some passengers were upset by something… turns out it was a woman breastfeeding her chihuahua,” said u/Neither-Accountant17 on Reddit.
It’s the kind of bizarre scene that leaves flight attendants and passengers alike speechless — and wondering what they just witnessed at 35,000 feet.
The Passenger Who Packed His Catch
But it’s not always the passenger-breastfeeding-a-dog who causes headaches. Sometimes, it’s a humble fisherman’s cargo that creates chaos before the plane even leaves the ground.
“Fish.” That was his reply when asked what was in his suitcase, according to u/drsameagle on Reddit. The odor alone grounded his plans.
Imagine boarding and smelling a fish market in the sky. This tale proves that sometimes, it’s not turbulence that ruins a flight, but what’s in the baggage hold.
The Mile High Wannabes on Christmas Night
It was Christmas, and the last flight of the night. A couple in the last row thought they could get away with some not-so-subtle festivities beneath their coats.
“Just so you know… that’s shit you pulled doesn’t put you in the mile high club… that doesn’t count. Merry Christmas.” recalled u/canthav814 on Reddit, quoting their senior colleague’s epic callout. The couple was mortified.
Passengers may think the cabin crew doesn’t notice these things, but they do. And sometimes, they’ll gift you a memorable parting shot that stays with you longer than the flight.
The Emergency Birth No One Saw Coming
And while that couple sought thrills, others faced true emergencies. A woman went into labor mid-flight, with passengers and crew scrambling to help in any way they could.
“She didn’t know she was having twins (thought they were obligated to tell you?). One didn’t make it. I’m guessing that’s why she went intro labor.” shared u/tidytibs on Reddit.
It’s the kind of story that haunts cabin crews and passengers alike — a reminder that, sometimes, life’s biggest moments unfold at 35,000 feet, ready or not.
The Passenger Who Peed on Another
When emergencies aren’t medical, they’re often a product of temper and entitlement. This next nightmare took rudeness to a shocking new level.
“man urinated on fellow passenger for not letting him smoke.” shared u/StrikrAndo on Reddit, summing up a nightmarish in-flight scene no one would forget.
When tempers flare and boundaries are crossed, the cabin can become a battleground. This story proves that sometimes the biggest dangers are seated right next to you.
The Baby Saved From Choking
Thankfully, not every in-flight drama ends in disgrace. Sometimes, heroism shines at 35,000 feet. That’s what happened when a flight attendant saved a baby’s life using training that kicked in just in time.
“She firmly hit the babies back and the force of the hit ejected the ice cube from the baby’s throat.” shared u/theemptyqueue on Reddit, recounting the harrowing moment.
It’s comforting to know that, amid all the chaos, flight attendants are ready for anything—even saving tiny lives while the rest of us panic helplessly.
The Petty Revenge of the Reset Screens
Sometimes, rudeness gets its own form of karma. One flight attendant found a petty but satisfying way to deal with particularly difficult passengers—and it didn’t involve confrontation.
“I’d keep resetting theirs sporadically so that they couldn’t watch their movie. Very petty of me I know.” admitted u/bobbylink21 on Reddit, sharing their secret weapon.
Flying can bring out the worst in people, but occasionally, it brings out just enough pettiness to make a rude traveler’s flight a little less enjoyable.
The Terrorist’s Forgotten Diary
This wasn’t your typical lost-and-found. A flight attendant discovered something truly chilling mid-flight—an abandoned diary containing the worst kind of confessions and plans.
“She found a diary of a terrorist in the back of the seat. Apparently he forgot it on the previous flight…” shared u/re20222 on Reddit. The police caught him.
It’s terrifying to imagine how close disaster may have come. A forgotten diary turned potential tragedy into a narrow escape, thanks to a vigilant cabin crew.
The Man With a Knife
The next story shows how a seemingly harmless act can trigger terror at 35,000 feet. A passenger pulled out a knife mid-flight — but not for the reason anyone feared.
“he uses the knife to open his beer and sits back down. A flight attendant came and politely asked him for the knife…” recalled u/PM_T***_4_PENS on Reddit.
For two heart-pounding minutes, passengers braced for the worst. Instead, it was just a case of truly questionable choices and an unexpected test of everyone’s nerves.
The Seat Nobody Noticed
Some incidents leave more than just bad memories behind. One seat hid an unfortunate secret—but the next passenger chose to sit anyway, seemingly unfazed.
“a nervous looking mountain-man type passenger had settled in the poop seat, right on top of the out of order sign.” shared u/flydoodle on Reddit, describing the awkward moment.
It’s the kind of silent understanding no one wants. Eye contact was exchanged, decisions were made, and the flight went on, smell and all.
The Passenger’s Eye That Couldn’t Handle the Pressure
As if the skies don’t bring enough stress, sometimes the human body reacts in ways no one expects. For one man, cabin pressure turned a past surgery into a gruesome spectacle.
“his eye looked all bloody and was bulging out because of the pressure and he was moaning so loud in pain.” described u/txplf23 on Reddit, remembering the gruesome sight.
It’s a haunting image that left everyone aboard rattled. The screams, the moans—it’s the stuff of in-flight nightmares passengers will never forget.
The Attendant Who Dodged 9/11
Not all flight stories are about the journey. Sometimes, fate steps in before the plane even leaves the ground. One flight attendant switched shifts last minute and narrowly escaped one of the darkest days in aviation history.
“She was supposed to work one of the doomed flights on 9/11. She switched with a coworker last minute. Ended up calling the family in tears” shared u/Rachie_Lion on Reddit.
Stories like these serve as powerful reminders. One change, one decision, can mean the difference between life and death. And those left behind never forget.
The Lounge Drinks That Turned a Passenger Into a Nightmare
This story came from a passenger who admitted she was the problem. Before boarding, she indulged in too many free cranberry vodkas at the United Lounge bar in Honolulu.
“I got super blitzed at the United Lounge bar (Free cranberry vodkas, huzzah!) and I ended up sitting next to these two guys because they were ‘cute’. Not my assigned seat, mind you.” confessed u/Nordic_Nonsense on Reddit.
The flight attendant tried to manage the situation. “Ma’am, you need to find your assigned seat”. Eventually placed up front, she snored through the six-hour flight to San Francisco, leaving an apology (and an offer of chocolate) for the patient crew.
The Poop Ultimatum That Made Everyone Panic
Airplane bathrooms are a precious commodity, especially when nature calls. But this passenger’s patience ran out, and he issued a threat that sent shivers down the cabin crew’s spine.
“if the bathroom did not open up in 30 seconds he was going to ‘mop the floor’ with the poop that was about to come out of his butthole.” shared u/BurritoFood on Reddit.
It’s the kind of desperate outburst no training manual covers. Luckily, disaster was narrowly avoided, but the crew was left shaken by the tension and the imagery.
Andre the Giant’s Unavoidable In-Flight Challenge
Andre the Giant wasn’t just larger than life in the ring. His sheer size made air travel a logistical nightmare, forcing flight attendants to improvise solutions for basic human needs.
“Flight attendants had to put up a curtain and give him a bucket to use.” shared u/mabarus on Reddit, explaining how his bathroom breaks were managed.
It’s a humbling reminder that fame doesn’t make you immune to indignity. Even legends rely on the kindness and creativity of cabin crews at 35,000 feet.
A Cabin That Looked Like a Crime Scene
Of course, not all in-flight challenges are visible until after the plane lands. That’s what the crew discovered when blood covered the cabin after landing at an outstation.
“she was having a menorrhagia (menstrual overflow). The aircraft was like a crime scene with the blood all over the carpet, the seats and the lavatory.” wrote u/Viechiru on Reddit.
It’s a shocking sight for any crew. Cleaning teams faced a grueling task, while the experience served as a reminder of the unseen challenges passengers sometimes face.
The Girl Who Prayed and Puked Through Turbulence
The turbulence was bad enough, but for one girl, it triggered panic and sickness in equal measure. Passengers watched in horror as she prayed between violent bouts of vomiting.
“Young christian girl, complete with a bible and a cross necklace, saying prayers in between fits of projectile vomiting…” described a user on r/AskReddit.
It felt like a scene from a horror film. The cabin shook, the girl’s prayers echoed, and the flight seemed endless for all trapped in the chaos.
The Drunk Pilot Who Fled the Scene
If odd cargo wasn’t enough, some pilots add to the danger. This next tale feels straight from a movie: a drunk pilot who took off — on foot.
“The second he reaches the gate and the door opens he just bolts from the airplane” recounted u/BaskInTheSunshine on Reddit. He vanished before anyone could breathalyze him.
Since the incident, the pilot must undergo breathalyzing on every flight. The next time you board, consider who’s really flying your plane—and what’s in their bloodstream. It’s unsettling to know he got away that night.
The Rowdy Fishermen and Their Song
While fear ruled that cabin, humor — albeit misplaced — took over on another. Sometimes, passengers try to inject humor, like the group of fishermen who turned a flight attendant’s safety demo into a sing-along.
“as I was doing my safety demo they started singing that Nelly song to me: ‘it’s gettin hot in here, so take off all your clothes.’” shared u/Mountain_Jury_8335 on Reddit.
While their timing wasn’t exactly appropriate, at least these passengers were more playful than problematic. But for the crew, it was another test of patience.
The Tiny Flight Attendant Who Speared a Nuisance
It was a flight to Turkey, and one drunk, elderly man made it a nightmare for everyone around him. He argued, tried to smoke, and generally tormented his fellow passengers.
“there was a drunk overweight elderly guy who was causing grief all flight wanting to smoke, argue etc and being a nuisance to anyone in his vicinity.” shared u/CurryMan1995 on Reddit.
As the plane began landing, the man tried to head for the toilet. That’s when a 5-foot-nothing, 90-pound flight attendant “full on speared the guy (Goldberg style) back into his chair.” The passenger called her a hero, and no one onboard would disagree.
A Quiet Flight That Sparked a Connection
On a quiet Air France flight from Toronto to Paris, a bored flight attendant and a passenger found an unusual way to pass the time.
“Almost empty flight Air France, Toronto to Paris, bored flight attendant gave me a wine and sat for chat, her and I ended up making out most of the flight. If you see this, I’m here!” shared on r/AskReddit.
It wasn’t about turbulence, arguments, or emergencies — just two people sharing wine and conversation at 35,000 feet. A fleeting connection, but one the passenger clearly hoped to rekindle.
The Parents Who Brought a Potty Seat to the Cabin
After that peaceful interlude, we return to the bizarre. One crew faced a parenting choice that left them stunned and passengers speechless. A dad tried to empty his child’s potty training toilet mid-flight.
“We told him he could NOT have his child use the bathroom at their seats.” shared u/mizzrinny on Reddit, recalling how the crew tried to set clear boundaries.
An hour later, the mother tried again. When told no, she replied “oh we thought just not pooping.” The parents then clipped the potty to a backpack and walked through the cabin, leaving the crew and passengers speechless.
The Vape That Ended in Total Bathroom Chaos
Poor decisions strike in many forms. He tried to vape in the airplane lavatory — and the outcome was a disaster for everyone.
“My theory was he was mid-piss, and he blew vape smoke into the smoke alarm. The sound must’ve startled him because he pissed on himself, the toilet, the mirror, and literally every spot in that bathroom.” shared u/Full_Nebula_4443 on Reddit.
To top it off, the man tried to cover it up. He claimed spicy Indian food set off the alarm — a flimsy excuse that didn’t fool the cabin crew dealing with the mess.
The COVID Prank That Sent a Plane Back Home
During the peak of the pandemic, a flight from Toronto to Jamaica became a nightmare. Passengers were almost halfway when one man’s reckless outburst changed everything.
“a passenger in his late teens/early 20s stood up in his seat and yelled, ‘I have Covid!’ to the entire plane.” shared u/ATCMike7 on Reddit, an air traffic controller who worked the flight.
The U.S. refused to let them land. So the flight returned to Toronto, turning a sunny getaway into a five-hour wasted journey. The man was arrested — his “joke” ruined it for everyone.
The Red-Eye Tragedy No One Could Escape
On another flight, tragedy unfolded in the shadows of the cabin. Most passengers slept, but one alert passenger witnessed a tragedy unfold, starting with a teenager’s desperate, piercing scream.
“A few rows behind me a girl started screaming ‘mama!? MAMA!?’ The flight attendants walked over, then ran back. Then ran over holding a defibrillator.” shared u/KnittinAndBitchin on Reddit.
The girl’s mother couldn’t be saved. “A stretcher came on board and wheeled the blanket covered body out. The sobbing girl followed behind.” The cabin became a place of shared sorrow, as strangers bore witness to unimaginable grief.
The Kitten That Nearly Caused Chaos Mid-Flight
A small eight-seater flight from the mainland to an island was supposed to be uneventful. But everything changed when a passenger’s kitten slipped free during the journey.
“a kitten got loose, over pilot’s shoulder and generally being frantic. Type of scene that disaster movies start with!” shared u/GSVNoFixedAbode on Reddit.
For a terrifying moment, the frantic animal raced through the cabin, distracting the pilot and raising fears of disaster. Luckily, the crisis was averted — but hearts raced until landing.
The Flight Attendant Who Filmed for OnlyFans
Passengers expect professionalism from the cabin crew, but one flight attendant crossed the line in a way no one anticipated. She tried to create risqué content mid-flight.
“A flight attendant tried to film content for her OnlyFans onboard while on duty. She no longer works as a flight attendant.” shared hypnotoad23 on Reddit.
The decision cost her dearly. Once discovered, she lost her job — a reminder that not everything done at 35,000 feet stays hidden from consequences.
The Passenger Forced to Face Her Worst Fear
Terror isn’t always about danger — sometimes it’s about the fear in your own mind. This woman’s panic filled the cabin as the engines roared.
“As soon as the engines revved up for takeoff, a woman started screaming like she was dying. The flight attendants couldn’t get up to go to her until the pilot rang the bell, about 5-10 minutes.” shared u/zenos_dog on Reddit.
Her daughter had insisted on the flight despite knowing her fear. A flight attendant comforted her the entire way, and at landing gently urged: “never put mom on an airplane ever again.”
A Halloween Flight That Ended in Silence
It was Halloween night in 1994. A passenger on a United flight from Vancouver to Chicago listened to air traffic control through Channel 9, a rare in-flight feature.
“ATC told all the other planes to quiet down. Then they started calling over and over for another flight – American 4184… And asking the other planes if anyone else could see an ATR.” shared u/CohibaVancouver on Reddit.
Moments later, Channel 9 went silent. At the hotel, the passenger learned the grim truth: “Flight 4184 had gone down in a field in Indiana and everyone was dead. Happy Halloween.” A chilling memory that still lingers.
The Passengers Who Left More Than a Mess
Landing should bring relief, but this one brought horror. A few passengers decided to stand and move down the aisle, ignoring crucial landing safety instructions from the cabin crew.
“They tried arguing in a language I didn’t understand, but I insisted that they remain seated for their safety, and they eventually did, just in time for the plane to land.” shared u/shiit_itakemushrooms on Reddit.
However, after landing, the true horror was revealed. “An entire spray of liquid, wet, dripping poop was plastered on the window and all over the sides of the cabin… The smell. My goodness.” A landing no crew would ever forget.
The Woman Who Passed Away Mid-Flight
On a long journey from Australia to the U.S., a quiet tragedy unfolded. A woman who seemed to be asleep couldn’t be woken by her companions.
“She appeared to just be asleep, but couldn’t be roused by her traveling companions. Eventually the flight attendants laid her on the floor and a doctor examined her.” shared u/DocFossil on Reddit.
After confirming the worst, the crew moved her to the back of the plane. “I later asked a flight attendant when we landed and she told me the woman had died.” A heartbreaking reminder that loss can come anywhere — even at 35,000 feet.
The “Maintenance Delay” That Wasn’t
Did you know that delays aren’t caused by technical issues at all? One passenger at the gate overheard a private call that revealed the true reason their flight wouldn’t leave on time.
“A flight attendant was hungover, slept-in and was going to be pretty late. A minute later, the person at the kiosk made an announcement about how some pre-flight maintenance was going to delay the flight.” shared u/TheDjTanner on Reddit.
The passenger couldn’t help but laugh internally. “I was thinking like, ‘you lying [redacted]. Lol” The supposed maintenance delay was just a cover for a crew member’s rough morning.
