In the friendly skies, we've seen all sorts of peculiar passenger behaviour—from the mildly annoying seat recliner to the full-blown, mid-flight yoga practitioner. But just when you thought you'd seen it all, along comes a tale that takes in-flight antics to a whole new altitude. It's a story that has many shaking their heads in disbelief and others, perhaps, secretly admiring the audacity of a woman who dared to turn her economy seat into a makeshift bakery.


Yes, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, you read that correctly. A bakery at 35,000 feet. It seems that the 'Mile High Club' has a new, doughier division, and it's all thanks to one baking influencer's lofty ambitions.


Maria Baradell, known to her Instagram followers as @leafandloafco, recently decided that a long-haul flight was the perfect opportunity to knead, rise, and shape her way into viral fame. With a tray table as her benchtop and a captive audience of fellow passengers, she embarked on a mission to surprise her sister with a fresh loaf of sourdough upon landing in Spain.


The video of her high-flying bake-off shows Maria unpacking her sourdough starter, flour, water, and salt and getting to work right there in her seat. 'Do you want to see the final results?' she asked her 34,000 followers, many of whom were likely more interested in the reaction of the unsuspecting travellers seated nearby.

As you might imagine, the responses were mixed, with a dash of horror and a sprinkle of disbelief. Some passengers were appalled, labelling the act as 'inconsiderate' and 'gross.' The thought of airborne flour mingling with the recycled cabin air was enough to make some reach for the air sickness bag. Others pointed out the potential danger to those with wheat or gluten allergies, a serious concern in such a confined space.

The criticism wasn't just about health concerns, though. There's a certain etiquette expected when flying, and turning your seat into a bakery isn't exactly in the unofficial manual of in-flight conduct. 'That’s an aeroplane—not a bakery. Learn some manners, people.. please,' one comment read.


But let's knead out the details a bit more, shall we? Eating on planes is nothing new; we've all done it. However, there's a vast difference between nibbling on a pre-packaged sandwich and dusting your neighbour with a fine layer of flour as you attempt to prove your dough during turbulence.

Maria's actions stirred up more than just flour; they sparked a conversation about the boundaries of public behaviour and the importance of considering those around us. After the backlash, she took to her Instagram to express gratitude for the kind feedback and acknowledged that her in-flight bakery might not have been the best idea.

Now, while we at the Seniors Discount Club love a good slice of homemade bread as much as the next person, we also value the comfort and safety of all passengers on a flight. It's a reminder that what may seem like a harmless bit of fun to one person can be a nuisance—or even a health hazard—to another.

So, dear readers, what's your take on this high-altitude baking bonanza? Have you ever witnessed any bizarre acts while flying that left you speechless? Or perhaps you've got a quirky travel tale of your own to share? We'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Please keep the flour and sourdough starters in the pantry and at home.