There is absolutely nothing worse than being trapped in a flying, metal tube up in the sky with no fresh air…and sitting next to something stinky.

Southwest Plane

We’ve all been there. We’ve probably all been on an airplane seated next to someone who decided to take their shoes off mid-flight, someone who has a stinky snack like beef jerky or Funyuns, or someone who forgot a step in their morning routine (the crucial deo step). Recently, a United Airlines flight had to TURN AROUND because of the smell from an overflowing toilet. Well, did you know that airlines actually have RULES on smelly, stinky stuff? Yes! And part of this rule might surprise you. Let’s talk about it!

We were doing some light reading in American Airlines’ rules and regulations when we came upon a very interesting rule. American Airlines reserves the right to remove passengers for a wide variety of reasons, of course, from violent behavior to public intoxication.

American Airlines

What we didn’t expect to see on this list of warranted reasons to remove passengers was DRAINING WOUNDS. Yep, it says that a person can be removed for having “an offensive odor, such as from a draining wound.”

©American Airlines

It had us wondering what on earth could have happened for them to need to put that into the rules and regulations. That’s just so…specific. You know? We say this with utmost respect to those with draining wounds.

American Airlines Plane

Note that American Airlines does permit passengers to travel with medical devices, so if you are recovering from surgery and have a medical device that is part of your recovery, you will be permitted onboard, and that device will not count towards the carry-on limit.

Somewhat relevant to this is the fact that it’s also listed in the rules that folks who are barefoot may be removed. From all of us who have sat next to someone with smelly, sweaty, stinky feet on the airplane: Thank you, American Airlines.

©American Airlines

So…if you want to fly with your shoes off or with a draining wound, just make sure it doesn’t smell bad. Then you should be in the clear. Don’t worry folks, we’re always here to provide you with the BEST travel news and updates, no matter how unexpected.

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What’s the weirdest experience YOU’VE ever had on a plane? Let us know in the comments!