Quantcast

Chili served at airports raises concerns about inflight comfort

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Chili served at airports raises concerns about inflight comfort
Research
Webp p18pueyozwbyaegyt1fzg7i1qaau
View from the Wing | View from the Wing

There is one food that should never be served at an airport, especially before passengers board a plane where their stomachs will be subject to the vagaries of air pressure. Despite this, a decade ago Washington’s National Airport opened a Ben’s Chili Bowl, and now the idea is spreading.

“I’ve had some terrible ideas but never ‘chili restaurant in an airport’ bad,” tweeted Midge (@mxmclain) on August 5, 2024.

Ben’s Chili Bowl is a DC institution. It has been around for over 60 years, hosted civil rights leaders in the 1960s, and President Obama ate there the month he took office in 2009. The Pelican Brief and State of Play had scenes filmed there. It is a tourist destination, but its chili is not highly regarded.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Nevertheless, United Airlines thought it was a good idea to offer chili at their club in Denver International Airport (DEN).

“The @united club at the @DENAirport used to have these bizarrely huge uncovered bowls of chili available as soon as you walked in,” tweeted Emily Witko (@witkoochocinco) on August 5, 2024.

Instances of flatulence have caused significant issues on flights before. Flatulence from goats once caused a Singapore Airlines aircraft to make an emergency landing. Similarly, hot cows caused issues for a Boeing 747 near Heathrow. A passenger's gastrointestinal issues led to a British Airways flight turning back to London. There was also the infamous Delta diarrhea flight.

“Someone had diarrhea on a delta flight from Atlanta to Barcelona forcing the plane to land early,” reported Ding News (@DingNewsCorp) on September 6, 2023.

While such incidents rarely reach the point of declaring an emergency, passing gas on planes happens frequently due to changes in air pressure causing increased gas production.

An average person passes gas ten times daily. This multiplies across passengers on long-haul flights without considering altitude changes.

The odor primarily results from sulfur compounds and is exacerbated in cabins with leather seats (traditionally first class). Fabric seat covers are more absorbent.

To mitigate this issue inflight, passengers are advised against consuming beans or fried foods before flying or while onboard. Cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts should also be avoided.

At Washington National Airport and elsewhere:

Consider taking Gas-X or Beano if prone to excessive gas production. Excusing oneself to the lavatory can help alleviate discomfort for fellow passengers; however, waits are common in economy class. If seated next to someone who passes gas, try ignoring it to prevent escalating tensions within the confined space of an aircraft cabin.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

IndiGo has launched a new service from Mumbai to Seychelles, marking the first Indian carrier to operate this route in two decades.

Apr 1, 2025

Delta Air Lines has made changes to its flight operations between Detroit and Los Angeles, removing the Airbus A350-900 from the route's schedule.

Apr 1, 2025

Allegiant Air has announced the appointment of Victor Cipolla as manager of Inflight Training Operations.

Mar 31, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the official launch of a global cabin crew training program by Ethiopian Aviation University.

Mar 31, 2025

Atlas Air has announced that certified flight instructors from the Atlas Cadet Academy have commenced hands-on professional development at the Atlas Training Center.

Mar 31, 2025

Hector Nazario, the husband of Kenia Nazario, who is employed at Flying Food Group (FFG), expressed concerns about the union Unite Here.

Mar 31, 2025