A social media storm has erupted after a passenger publicly complained about not being allowed to keep an airline blanket, forcing a widespread debate on what travellers are actually entitled to and raising serious questions about onboard hygiene.
The Viral Incident That Started It All
The controversy began when a passenger flying with West African carrier Air Peace Limited filmed a video that quickly spread across social media. The user, known online as lanio60, recorded a flight attendant collecting blankets from passengers and placing them into a plastic bag.
In the clip, text overlay read: 'Did you just say "collecting blankets?" You will have to beat me to take that blanket,' accompanied by crying emojis. The passenger's clear frustration at having to return the item prompted an immediate and divided reaction from viewers worldwide.
Social Media Weighs In: Theft or Entitlement?
The comment section became a battleground for opposing viewpoints. Many users were quick to label the passenger's expectation as unreasonable, comparing it to taking towels from a hotel room. One user stated bluntly: 'Lady, you are a thief. You paid to use the aircraft and everything in it.'
Others pointed out the variability in airline policies. 'Some collect it back while some don’t,' observed one commenter, while another noted that major carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways routinely retrieve blankets after flights.
However, a counter-argument emerged suggesting that airlines should allow passengers to keep the often low-cost items as souvenirs, highlighting the core of the dispute: a perceived lack of clarity on what is included in the fare.
Flight Crew and Industry Experts Reveal the Truth
To settle the debate, The Daily Mail sought insight from industry professionals. Sherry Martin Peters, a flight attendant with experience at several major airlines, clarified the standard protocol. She confirmed that blankets are provided for comfort, particularly on long-haul journeys, but are intended to be left onboard, washed, and reused.
Despite this, Peters admitted a pragmatic approach is common among crew. 'If they ask me directly if they can take it, I will say "I didn't see anything." Really, if someone becomes that emotionally attached to a blanket, let them take it,' she shared.
The conversation then turned to a more alarming issue: cleanliness. An expert from travel website Busbud, LP Maurice, who has worked with industrial laundry managers, provided a stark insight. He explained that while linen from long-haul flights is typically washed at high temperatures, tight turnarounds can compromise this process.
Maurice revealed a shocking admission from a line manager: at one busy hub, only a fifth of blankets in economy class are actually washed. The rest are merely refolded after a flight 'unless visibly stained'. This practice is most likely when a preceding flight lands late, leaving ground crews with as little as 25 minutes to prepare the aircraft for its next departure.
The incident, while seemingly trivial, has highlighted significant issues in air travel: ambiguous passenger entitlements, variable airline policies, and potentially concerning hygiene standards behind the scenes.
