During a recent flight, a passenger expressed frustration after encountering a fellow traveler who disregarded in-flight etiquette by placing her bare feet on the seat next to him and watching TikTok videos without using headphones.
Videographer Justin Fok was traveling from Sydney to Brisbane on a Virgin Australia flight for work when he found himself seated next to the woman in question.
In an interview with Yahoo News, Fok recounted that upon boarding, he discovered the woman occupying his designated seat. Despite his courteous request for her to move, she merely shifted over without standing, forcing him to awkwardly maneuver past her in the otherwise empty row.
The situation escalated as the woman continued to ignore airline protocols, speaking loudly on speakerphone even after flight attendants instructed passengers to switch their devices to airplane mode.
Fok further described his discomfort when the woman removed her shoes, exposing what he described as “wrinkly, crusty” feet with long, unkempt nails that repeatedly brushed against his leg.
He said the woman then removed her shoes, revealing ‘wrinkly, crusty’ feet with untrimmed nails which were inadvertently rubbing against his thigh.
To make matters worse, Mr Fok said the woman watched TikTok videos on her phone for the entire 90-minute flight without wearing headphones.
The videographer said he gave the woman a dirty look and ‘countered with a manspread’, where people sit with their legs spread wide apart.
An passenger has unleashed on his noisy neighbour with unhygienic feet, calling it the ‘worst airline experience’ of his life
A Virgin Australia spokesman said crew were available to help all guests.
‘We encourage guests flying with us to notify our crew if there is anything they can do to make their flight more comfortable,’ he said.
To board a Virgin Australia flight, both adults and children must meet minimum dress requirements, which include suitable footwear.
Those who do not comply may be prevented from travelling, the airline warns.
However, there are no rules regarding footwear inside the aircraft.
All guests are also encouraged to use headphones when playing audio or video and while it isn’t specified in its Conditions of Carriage, cabin crew manage the situations in flight to help maintain a comfortable environment for everyone on board.
Aussies were divided over the rule regarding footwear, with many travellers saying they took their shoes off during flights but ensured it didn’t affect their fellow passengers.
‘I like taking my shoes off for long-haul flights as I get a lot of sensory issues, but I keep my socks on and my feet to myself,’ one person said.
Touring videographer Justin Fok was flying from Sydney to Brisbane for a work trip when he encountered the elderly woman on the Virgin Australia flight
‘I go bare feet, but I keep them on the ground,’ a second said.
‘Look I wear just socks when I’m sitting but my feet stay ON THE FLOOR. I also wear slides and put fresh compression socks on,’ a third agreed.
‘Nooooo!!! I will take my shoes off but never to put my foot on someone else. I also buy new socks because I don’t want people to see dirty socks,’ a fourth commented.
But others felt it was a vile act and said they always kept their shoes on.
‘When did we stop wearing shoes in public,’ one person said.
‘Hell no, I would of asked the staff to intervene,’ a second said.
‘I would have audibly screamed, this is my worst nightmare,’ another said.
‘That’s not even a long flight, it’s a hugely disrespectful move,’ a fourth said.
‘Absolutely not, and I have Shrek feet. I’d never do this,’ a fifth wrote.
