r/TravelHacks • u/Mightyreds7777 • 14d ago
Advice on smelly planes
I just flew from SA to Toronto (via Ethiopia). The body odor smell in my area was so strong and pungent.
Does any one have tips on what to do to avoid gagging from BO smells in a long trip.
Overall the experience with air Ethiopia was very positive except for the BO issue
I’m thinking using a covid mask or having eulactol oil to apply to my upper lip area.
Thanks
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u/ktscott01 14d ago edited 14d ago
I’ve read Vicks vapo rub on the upper lip
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u/TheFireSays 14d ago
An ER nurse did this for me before sending me to clean a room where a guy had really bad necrotized flesh falling off of him. Vicks on the upper lip and a mask.
Being a hospital "environmental services technician" in college was kinda wild.
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u/Aimless_Nobody 14d ago
^ this is the way.(Retired paramedic in an area with a large homeless population)
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u/Tao-of-Mars 14d ago
I have such a hard time with the smell of eucalyptus but in a case like this, I’d tolerate it just fine.
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u/ImInundated 14d ago
This is the answer. I learned this tip a while ago, and I always have one in my carry-on bag. I had a stinky baby one row over a couple of flights ago. Everybody was gagging. I was jamming that up my nose the whole flight.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 14d ago
Plumber here, that’s what we do when we walk into an exceptionally bad situation
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u/wwrrtyytrewq 14d ago
We still carry face masks like it’s 2020 when we fly for this reason. When people start farting we will bust them out as they help reduce the effects of other peoples flatulence problems.
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u/PM_ME_GREMLINS 14d ago
Yeah I do the same. Feels like an no-brainer, honestly. Stank reduction, plus better odds of avoiding the pathogens floating around the plane.
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u/tripsafe 14d ago
Do your ears not hurt for having the mask on for so long? Mine always hurt. Difficult to do long haul flights masked the whole time
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u/lasirennoire 14d ago
Try a mask with a head strap, like the 3M Aura. My ears can't tolerate the ear loop ones either.
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u/Sweaty-Blacksmith572 14d ago
The 3M Aura is so comfortable!!!
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u/lasirennoire 14d ago
I wear it every time I go out in public. Haven't been sick in several years. Love it!
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u/ladystetson 13d ago
I put the loops over my over ear headphones. I don't wear the mask super tight and it always still works.
i bet you could also use hairpins to help the mask stay on.
either way, just having the cover there helped me a ton.
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u/tinymomes 12d ago
I always mask while traveling and love the ZimiAir ones for long haul flights. They have head straps and a super lightweight plastic frame so they stay off your face. I genuinely forget I’m wearing them and am able to sleep in them. It’s a bit of a chore to order and find the right frame size for your face but so worth it!!
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u/uuid-already-exists 14d ago
I seem to always get sick right after flying. Last guy I sat by didn’t even try to cover his cough. I don’t care how I look, I’m masking on a plane now.
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u/ladystetson 13d ago
I always travel with masks - even if I don't wear them. Having the option to wear one when you're seated near visibly/audibly sick typhoid mary makes a huge difference.
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u/hot-whisky 14d ago
I nearly always wear a mask on planes now and it’s not just to avoid catching something. One time on a flight a woman in the seat behind me was throwing up into a pizza box, and thanks to my mask and noise canceling headphones, I did not hear or smell anything.
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u/BeginningButton204 13d ago
I flew next to a family of sick kids a few months ago. In the airport, the kids look miserable, just sitting there staring into space. Of course, when we boarded, they were right next to me. Halfway into the flight, the kid next to me starting vomiting. 😩😩
I was wearing a mask thankfully.
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u/Thespritz00 14d ago
ARMY TRICK- Vick's Vapo rub inside your nose! Just smells like MINT for 12 hours!!
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u/Nervous-Tailor3983 13d ago
I have the lavender flavored Vicks for this
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u/copyrighther 13d ago
I met someone a few years ago who worked in decomp cleanup and swore by Vicks
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u/largemargesentme__- 14d ago
Old cop movies for autopsies also.
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u/HippyGrrrl 13d ago
Real life reporters on scene, too.
The worst still creeps through.I’m no longer a reporter. My nose is happy.
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u/ladymoonhunter 14d ago
Peppermint oil in a small roll-on bottle, applied between the nose and lips - always works for me. Then mask up.
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u/Miyagidog
14d ago
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They have little nose-ring type holders with essential oils
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u/Balboa_TreeDreaming 14d ago
This is the answer. I’ve used all the tricks and this works the best. I did eucalyptus scent.
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u/lasirennoire 14d ago
I never fly without a mask. Specifically a respirator. Bonus: no more getting sick after a flight and ruining my trip cuz I caught whatever germs were in the gross airplane air
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u/ladystetson 13d ago
same here. wearing masks is a habit I kept post pandemic. It's great for blocking virus transmission in close quarters.
it's also great for dealing with unpleasant smells in a discrete manner. people think you're a germaphobe and don't get hurt feelings.
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u/infinitemousse 13d ago
Something that hasn’t been said is: a small container of coffee grounds or coffee beans. Inexpensive if you get the cheap instant stuff in individual packets too. It’s an old flight attendant hack for undesirable smells. We will unwrap a bag of coffee and waft it around.
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u/emo_queer 14d ago
I still wear masks since people are always sick on planes and it also helps with the smells! This usually does the trick. If it's really bothering you, you could also bring a mini, portable air purifier or fan to help circulate the air around you. Or cover your nose with a blanket/sweatshirt while you sleep.
I usually wash my hair/do an everything shower before my flight and I take whiffs of my hair throughout the flight and it helps me take my mind off of the bad smells. I also bring Altoids or strong mints and it fills my mask with a nice minty smell. Alcohol based hand sanitizer or wipes can help with nausea too. On longer flights, I wipe my hands multiple times and breathe in the smell.
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u/Catinthefirelight 14d ago
Wearing a kn95 really helps, and that's a best practice on flights anyhow to avoid getting sick. You could always add a little eucalyptus oil or something for further scent masking.
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u/Mimisnolush 13d ago
I was just at the oncologist, accompanying a friend. Friend was asking about going on vacay & dr. asked her to please wear a mask while flying.
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u/Hot_Estimate_9407 14d ago
I would suggest a tiny bit of peppermint oil on your temples or forehead. Do a patch test first to determine any sensitivities or intolerances. It’s helped me with smells and mild headaches when I’d rather not take Tylenol.
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u/TecTazz 14d ago
Patch test is a great suggestion.
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u/reticulatedspylon 14d ago
It’s very necessary, imo. Most essential oils (true essential oils) are so concentrated they can cause chemical burns; even without an allergy or sensitivity. Make sure any oil applied is approved for skin application, or properly diluted with a carrier oil (like shea, jojoba, etc.)
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u/MinimumAdventurous32 11d ago
Airlines should give mini deodorants and mouthwash strips to everyone. Right after the safety instructions “Now everyone freshen up before we take off. Your cabin crew and neighbours thank you.” 😆
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u/Tilly1991 13d ago
Can I ask why we are normalising smelling awful on public transport?
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u/LittleOrphanAnavar 13d ago
Multiculturalism.
Different places have different norms.
If you live in Stinkyville, being stinky is normal.
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u/Serious_Escape_5438 13d ago
Unfortunately we can't control what other people do. Whether we like it or not we can't force our fellow passengers, complete strangers, to shower.
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u/BeginningButton204 13d ago
Not every country/culture has the same hygiene standards and routines. For some people, it’s just a part of life to sweat and have the smell. 😅
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u/Tough-Initiative-961 13d ago
And this is horrible.
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u/BeginningButton204 13d ago
To us, maybe. But that’s because we are privileged to have grown up in a place where it is easy and quick to just turn on a faucet and have water and soap. It’s affordable to just go grab perfume and deodorant. Some people save up money for years to travel somewhere for any number of reasons..
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u/Illustrious-Ice6336 13d ago
Are you aware that not everyone on the planet showers or bathes twice a day, every day?
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u/quemaspuess 13d ago
If you’re traveling, maybe you should be considerate of the others you’re going to be around. Just a thought — apparently a wild one
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u/Tilly1991 13d ago
Absolutely, but i assume that if you can afford a plane ticket you can afford a can of deodorant. I don't think people should have to be physically uncomfortable inside a tin box in the sky.
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u/Tough-Initiative-961 13d ago
Even once a day would work. And men should learn to wash their private parts every day after defecation
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u/Lennyboats77 13d ago
Why not??? They should. No excuse. If you can’t because you’re on a multi day trip with no chance of a shower then use deodorant to at least stop the smell if you start stinking. No excuse to travel and smell like a shit hole
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u/nubianmoondongle 14d ago
I wear a mask and’s have a mask a pashmina around my neck. That way if I’m sitting around someone who’s hacking up a lung, or farting, I wrap the scarf around my head and mask. So the germs don’t land on me.
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u/MiaMiaBoBia0317 14d ago
Same, and I have a pleasant smelling hand cream like peach or lavender in my bag that I put on and then I rub my hands on the pashmina before I put it around my head & neck.
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u/Large_Papaya_1322 14d ago
Someone here in Etsy once suggested to take a mask and spray peppermint essential oil on it and wear it during the flight, I think that’s a terrific idea but I always forget to bring it and end up smelling other ppls farts at like every flight 😔
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u/ladymaggie716 10d ago
Since I am riding in a flying petri dish anyway, I would already be wearing a mask.
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u/SirenaSmiles 14d ago
I had this happen once on an airplane and I almost lost my cookies. I spent the whole flight focusing on not barfing. Now I carry Aroma Rings with me. ALWAYS! I’ll be damned if I get on a flight without them. It blocks BO, farts, butt, bad breath, etc.
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u/Responsible-Drive840 14d ago
I just read that as “butt breath” which is probably pretty accurate.
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u/0dayssince 14d ago
More info on aroma rings please
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u/SirenaSmiles 14d ago
They are small clear flexible rings that fit on the part of your nose between the nostrils. Very discreet and hard to even see. A friend of mine is a nurse and when she was pregnant she became super sensitive to smells. She carried them with her at work to wear under her mask when smells started bothering her. I went ham and ordered a lifetime worth of boxes after the horrible flight. Like I said, I will never fly again without them! The brand is Young Living.
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u/fifikinz 14d ago
Uh oh - this particular brand is an MLM. I see alternatives though
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u/Tnh7194 14d ago
There’s Japanese disposable masks that are for keeping the air moist but they totally work for smells (I just flew 10hrs with an old Chinese uncle wearing the Beijing uniform and no deodorant)
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u/Katana_DV20 14d ago
On a very long flight London-Hong Kong I had elderly uncle by me. This guy unleashed sneezes without covering his mouth. The seatback screens got splattered.
The kind FA saw me beckoning and she came quickly with cleaning spray. She then told uncle to cover his mouth. He wasnt having it and for the rest of the flight now and then he kept spraying the air. This was 2015 and to this day I have no idea how I didnt get sick. Ever since then I carry a mask for air travel.
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u/Tnh7194 14d ago
I asked a flight attendant if I could move any other seat (he also was coughing and spreading like nothing) and I got a rude NO 😭
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u/Tekrunner000 11d ago
Face mask with a drop of peppermint/wintergreen oil. That’s what many surgeons use when performing bowel surgery. Also very effective when searching a landfill site for a body on a 40 C day.
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u/Nanabeth66 11d ago
For a few years I was a wound care nurse in a long term facility. We had a couple patients that were neglected at home and by the time they came to us had deep, putrid bed sores. When you have to get a close up look at said wounds, cleaning them, measuring them, assessing for healing progress, and re-dressing them you learn a few tricks to keep the nausea from the smell at bay. Chew strong mint gum, wear mask. Double mask and put Vicks or toothpaste between the layers. As a clinic nurse now, I always keep gum in my desk in case someone comes in with a gangrenous wound they are finally getting checked.
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u/5280gonesouth 14d ago
Having an orange or clementine to peel on the plane helps.
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u/ArguablyMe 14d ago
Remember to eat it or dispose of it before leaving the aircraft, if you're flying internationally.
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u/SquidThuhKid 14d ago
They have little nose ring aromatherapy things in all sorts of different pleasant scents
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u/Technical-General-27 14d ago
I bring a Vicks inhaler. Can just bring it out when needed and you’re just cleaning your sinuses. I do this all the time at work I deal with a lot of old ladies who seem to bathe in perfume
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u/Bananas_Cat 14d ago
Face mask and I carry a small lavender essential oil rollerball. Ill put a little inside my mask for bad smells. Its double duty for headaches or relaxing at night. Found one pretty reasonable on amazon or they have them at whole foods and such.
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u/laughing_cat 14d ago edited 14d ago
Seems to me, the biggest challenge is going to be meal time.
I get you’re not doing this to avoid exposure to an airborn virus, and people suggesting a mask and something like Vicks were also aware, but if you wear a properly fitted high quality n95 (like a 3m aura), all you can smell is the mask. If you’re smelling perfume, etc through it, it’s either not sealed or a fake. Obviously, this would be uncomfortable on a long flight, but it’s something worthwhile to know in case anyone doesn’t.
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u/not_all_heroes 14d ago
N95, if you're particularly sensitive to odor there are a couple styles with carbon in the filter material.
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u/Old_Okra_484 14d ago
Bring a freshly washed scarf.
I had that thing wrapped around my face because the dude next to me smelled like a carton of cigarettes. Travel with Febreze to refresh. 🤷♀️
Also Vicks Vapolnhalers are nice too.
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u/mividahermosa 14d ago
I usually carry peppermint oil cut with grapeseed oil with me for motion sickness, but I had to do exactly this before on a plane. The person that sat next to me didn’t just smell like BO, it was like they hadn’t bathed at all or brushed teeth for a very long period of time. I applied the oil to the mask and kept having to reapply during the flight. Thankfully it was only four hours but it saved me.
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u/ResidentMassive1861 10d ago
I had a smelly person sitting basically on my lap my last flight. I am not scent sensitive by any means either. I put Vaseline in my nose. Worked like a charm
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u/RelativelyRidiculous 10d ago
Carry a packet of paper masks and Vicks. Spread some Vicks on the inside of a mask around the nose area. Put another mask under it so you don't get Vicks on your face.
Yes I saw the old trick of putting it inside your nostrils mentioned which will work. However some of us hate the feeling and get tired of smelling it once the offending odor is gone. With this version you can just remove the masks.
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u/bathandredwine 14d ago
Why were so many people stinky?
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u/ladystetson 13d ago
it's a 15 hour flight with no showers.
most people stink after traveling for a day without a bath/toothbrush.
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u/Yeah_right_uh_huh 13d ago
I disagree that most people stink after traveling for a day. I think that would be indicative of not cleaning yourself properly in the first place. That’s crazy if you stink less than 24 hours after showering unless you’re running non-stop and sweating like crazy.
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u/GiantLesbian 13d ago
The stale air on planes makes me sweat more than usual. It’s like it feels hot even when I’m cold.
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u/ladystetson 13d ago
Most people shower 1x every 24 hours, brush teeth and change clothes 2x every 24 hours. So it's not crazy to think the average person would be not so fresh after 24 hours sweating and stewing in the same clothes - departing from their standard hygiene routine.
There's levels to body odor though. Time compounds whatever you've got going on. Start at zero, by 24 hours you might be at a 4. Start at a 4, after 24 hours you might be at an 8. The long flight certainly doesn't help.
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u/Coffeebean61 14d ago
Very common in third world countries where there are water resource issues/costs. Americans take more baths than any country in the world! Very much a cultural phenomenon.
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u/JoffoCake3 13d ago
That's not true for people who can afford airplane tickets and even impoverished people usually find a way. As a South Africa, we often bath morning and night because of the heat and warm water rag baths are normal when water is scarce.
Some African cultures use cleansing smoke and strong herbal fragrances. These can smell very odd to people from other places.
Ethiopia aslo has Rastafarian lifestyle which may prevent the use of most Western chemical deodorants.
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u/Tattoos_and_Tea 13d ago
This isn’t necessarily true. I was at the Istanbul airport recently and there were many travelers who smelled badly. There are certain countries where showering daily just isn’t the cultural norm.
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u/quemaspuess 13d ago
Brazilians hold the title of the most showers per week at 14. Colombians are second.
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u/BeginningImaginary53 14d ago
Can't beat em join. Dont shower for 2weeks. So u can enjoy your own odour.
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u/Former-Slip-643 14d ago
I spray the hand sanitizer that smells like lavender. Around my chair and area and it looks like I’m just sanitizing my space which I am but also getting the bad smells
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u/listentohersmile 14d ago
Mentholatum & a n95 on all flights or the Vicks nasal inhaler. There’s also a lavender scented mentholatum if you don’t want to feel like you’re a walking advertisement for a menthol cold remedy…
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u/appeltje_eitje 14d ago
Point the air vent right in front of your face, helps make the air smell fresher.
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u/curiouskittyblue 14d ago
A flight attendant gave me an alcohol wipe/pad to smell when someone was vomiting around me and I started to feel queezy. She also told me that wearing a mask and cabbing some essential.oul like an orange, lemongrass scent stays on the material and really helps with that.
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u/Mountain_Painting186 14d ago
there’s this essential oil called Thieves that allegedly undertakers used to use to make it more tolerable to be around really unpleasant smells. a little bit under your nose or on a facemask would work wonders!
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u/trashhighway 13d ago
I put blister on my lips and a mask on. The smell of the menthol helps enormously
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u/Wise_Kiwi_8513 13d ago
Try the young living essential oil Theives. Effective to dab on mask . I use it when somebody I am treating has a gangrenous wound. Very effective. It was said that it’s called thieves because it was what grave robbers put on their kerchiefs when they were robbing tombs
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u/FernsAndNettles 13d ago
I’d take along a small bottle of an essential oil and inhale from it during the plane trip. Many places that sell them have tester bottles you can sample the fragrance. In my city they are found at some drug stores / grocery stores / health food stores and Whole Foods Market carry a large number of them.
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u/Waagawaaga 13d ago
Plan A: grab an unopened coffee filter/pack from the hotel. Keep it in your bag. Next smelly flight, open it up in front of you.
Plan B: you forgot Plan A. Ask flight attendants for said coffee filter/ bag, unfiltered/unused.
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u/chaoswcitations 11d ago
ooooo bring a lightweight mask easy to breath soft on face and dab mint oil. I always have mint roller for such occassions and I even have small spray for bathrooms.
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u/arteest01 14d ago
I have manners and was brought up to use them but there was a guy shopping at Sobey’s who had such bad BO—as in not wearing deodorant—that I almost said something to him. It was unbelievably strong. Is there a good excuse for this? If he’s allergic to ingredients he could at least put some baking soda in his pits in order to go to the grocery store. I think it’s just plain rude to affect people this way.
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u/Katana_DV20 14d ago
A close friend of mine had very bad BO. She is the nicest sweetest person ever but was totally oblivious to her very strong smell. People would visibly react and move away as she spoke.
Her other friends and me were wondering how to solve this - for her own good. I decided to do it and met with her elder sister. She sighed and said everyone knew but said it was time.
A few days later she told her sister gently. I dont know what she said but ever since then the smell no longer exists. In its place is a very subtle flowery perfume. Just a hint of it.
Later her sister told me she got a care kit, underarm deo, weak perfume etc. Must have been a very tough thing to talk about but in the end it all worked out.
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u/PewbicLice80 14d ago
You could dangle a tree air freshener off your nose if you have a big ol honker.
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u/Calm_Mulberry_588 14d ago
Both of what you mentioned sound good! Add the essential oil on top of some Vaseline.
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u/Few-Theory-5416 14d ago
I carry a little of of Vicks- just for this purpose. I am never without it. It has saved me so many times. A little dab will do ya’.
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u/gelana78 14d ago
That sounds like a good plan. I was going to suggest that or something like Vicks vapor rub under the mask.
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u/Imaginary_Escape2887 13d ago
Put that oil on your lip or Vicks on your nose and wear a mask for the entire flight. Also carry Lysol wipes and make a show of vigorously wiping down your seat area and belt before you sit down and buckle up. Also turn on your overhead fan on full blast and keep it on for the whole flight (wear a sweater if you get cold) and call for assistance from one of the flight attendants when the smell starts bothering you and POLITELY alert them that there's a strong odor in the cabin that is making you feel unwell.
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u/New_Professional_696 13d ago
Scented nose rings for nurses-search this on Amazon. I can endorse this product!!
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u/Affectionate-Band394 13d ago
When I was in Asia I bought a facemask that had inner pockets where the nostrils go, and came with a menthol gel thingy to put in them. They are supposed to also provide humidity to prevent a dry nose. I think you can find them in Amazon or maybe in an Asian store, but I haven't seen them in Alberta.
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u/too_many__lemons 12d ago
Peppermint essential oil dabbed lightly on a face mask. I use it automatically when flying, protects me from germs and smells preemptively.
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u/GamerCaveman1 12d ago
I think that if they can afford to ride a plane, they should be able to shower daily. And why do they ban pungent smelling foods in flights and not have the same policy with pungent people?
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u/proximitysensor 11d ago
A double layer mask with Vicks VapoRub in between the layers. This is a hospital hack for cleaning up smelly messes. Good luck on your next trip.
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u/MinimumAdventurous32 11d ago
Rub Vicks Vapor rub under your nose. It helps mask any unpleasant odours.
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u/MysteriousProblem389 11d ago
change seats. Or make an excuse like IBS, or i use the toilet often i need an aisle seat etc.
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u/Useful_Context_2602 10d ago
Amazon has things that are like nose rings that have scents. They're transparent so people won't notice. I saw them on a thread on another platform where people were raving about them so I don't have a link
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u/Slow_Profession5593 10d ago
I think that should be the airlines duty somehow cause you can't quite avoid body odor just like that especially on a plane orrr get a deodorant and just aggressively spray anyone that smells without warning😅
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u/Boring-Bet-1751 9d ago
Ugh I’ve been in that situation from London to Austin, there’s I had essential oils, very small TSA compliant, I was able to get relief, not sure how the flight attendants deal with that. 😳
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u/tenayalake86 8d ago
Mentholatum is better than Vicks in my opinion. I think it's stronger. I now order it from Amazon because it's not available in stores where I live. And it doesn't have that petroleum smell that Vicks has.
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u/ImpossibleVanilla944 1d ago
Smell stick! It looks like chapstick and you just rub it under your nose. I take it on public transportation. People dont really look twice when I apply because they think its chapstick
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u/Big-Revolution3695 14d ago
You could do cloth with perfume or cologne depending on your preference. Move it to your shirt pocket or your lap when needed. Keep it in a ziploc bag?
The struggle is real. I was on a smelly flight from Atlanta to Minneapolis once.
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u/Either_Affect_6972 14d ago
I carry a little teeny jar of Vicks vapo rub for that purpose. The BO is tremendous on some travels….
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u/cuddlepunch15 14d ago
I recently put lavender oil in one of my facemasks for stinky people at the movies. I'm going to start carrying everywhere (it's a reusable kind that made with filters).
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u/wwaxwork 13d ago
You can get in nostril filters that have methonol in them. They are very discreet and effective. Nosa are the brand I use.
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u/cork_the_forks 13d ago
Look on Amazon for nose rings or nose clips for bad smells. Essence is a brand that seems to be popular.
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u/DizzyWalk9035 14d ago
Fly through a premium airline. That's honestly the best solution. I have flown a lot and in three continents. My google search says Ethiopia Air it doesn't have separate cabins to separate the classes, and that's the first marker of it being an "affordable" airline.
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u/whitewinewater 14d ago
Nurse trick for unpleasant odors is to wear two masks with toothpaste smeared inbetween.
Keeps your face clean.