A social media influencer has ignited a fierce debate about inflight etiquette after branding a fellow passenger 'selfish' for refusing to pull down their window shade during a long-haul night flight.
The 'Diabolical' Decision That Divided Travellers
Carlos Gil, who lives in Dubai, took to Threads to vent his frustration during a 14-hour journey. He posted a photo showing the person seated in front of him with their window shade 'WIDE OPEN', allowing light to stream into the darkened economy cabin. Gil described the scene, stating it was 4am back home, the cabin lights were off, and nearly everyone was asleep.
He called the decision not to close the black-out panel 'diabolical', questioning if he was 'crazy' for wanting to reach over and shut it. 'Is this one of those unspoken airplane rules where touching the shade starts a problem?' he asked his followers, prompting a flood of conflicting opinions.
A Clash of Passenger Rights: Sleep vs. Preference
The reaction was sharply divided. Many commenters agreed with Gil, labelling the behaviour inconsiderate. One suggested involving a flight attendant, noting that some airlines require shades to be down when everyone is sleeping. The prevailing unwritten rule, they argued, is that when the lights go off, the shades go down.
However, a significant number defended the window-seat passenger's right to control their shade. Counter-arguments included:
- Using an eye mask if light is an issue.
- The desire to watch for phenomena like the Northern Lights.
- Health reasons, such as anxiety or claustrophobia, which are alleviated by having the shade open.
One respondent bluntly told Gil, 'If everyone else is asleep but you…it sounds like a personal problem to me.'
Another Inflight Grievance: The 'World's Worst Sandwich'
In a separate but equally disgruntled travel tale, passenger Oisín Breen slammed Aer Lingus after being served what he called the 'worst sandwich' he'd ever seen. The incident occurred on a December 2025 flight from Dublin to Toronto.
Breen, a journalist from Edinburgh, was appalled by the vegetarian cheese and relish offering served as his second meal. Photos showed the 'miniature' sandwich was barely longer than his thumb, featuring a meagre slice of cheese and a tiny smear of relish on dry bread.
He complained to a flight attendant who reportedly agreed that half the meal seemed 'missing'. Breen was so disappointed he is now contemplating avoiding the airline in future, criticising the lack of honesty and basic quality from a 'proper carrier'.
These two incidents highlight the often-unspoken tensions and heightened expectations that define modern air travel, where personal space, comfort, and even meal quality become flashpoints for public debate.
