Airports are a melting pot of humanity, full of different people doing business.
Most of it is normal, just people and their luggage getting on and off planes. However, we’ve all had that person who tries to take something odd on a plane, whether it’s oversized hand luggage, or something altogether more bizarre.
Occasionally, passengers bring along items that raise everyone’s eyebrows. From the unusual to the downright bizarre, here are five of the strangest things people have taken on a plane.
1. Emotional Support Animals (ESA) That Aren’t Your Typical Pets
Emotional support animals have become increasingly common on flights, providing comfort and assistance to their owners. While dogs and cats are the norm, some passengers have taken the concept of ESA to a whole new level.
One such case involved a woman who brought her emotional support peacock to the airport. Yes, you read that right—a peacock. The bird, adorned in vibrant feathers, made headlines as it attempted to board a United Airlines flight at Newark Liberty International Airport. Despite its impressive plumage, the airline denied boarding, citing its size and weight.
But it doesn’t stop there. From emotional support turkeys to miniature horses, there seems to be no limit to the types of animals people claim provide them comfort during air travel. While airlines have tightened their regulations on ESAs in recent years, these incidents showcase the creativity (and perhaps the absurdity) of some passengers.
2. A Games Console
Taking a games console on holiday might not seem too odd, but what about taking a full Xbox on a flight and then setting it up and playing in your seat? It certainly beats the games currently on the screens of most airlines, but did it really happen?
In 2022, a man onboard a long-haul flight from the UK to Thailand was pictured setting up his console in his seat. He even had a distinctive controller and used his phone as a screen. It’s unclear what game he was playing, but it certainly helped pass the time on his 14-hour flight.
3. A Dead Shark
In one of the more macabre instances of odd luggage, a dead shark was discovered on a New York City subway and later traced back to a passenger’s carry-on at LaGuardia Airport. The shark, measuring about 4 feet long, was packed in a large plastic bag filled with water.
The passenger claimed he found the shark on the beach and decided to take it home as a souvenir. However, transporting a dead shark on a commercial flight raised concerns about health and safety, not to mention the sheer oddity of the situation. The TSA allowed the passenger to keep the shark but advised him to transport it properly next time, preferably in checked luggage or not at all.
4. Human Skull Fragments
In 2013, TSA agents at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport made a grisly discovery when they found human skull fragments in a clay pot inside a passenger’s carry-on bag. The passenger claimed the fragments were archaeological artifacts from Central America and were intended for research purposes.
While transporting such items is not illegal per se, it certainly raises questions about their origin and the legality of their acquisition. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by airport security in screening items with historical or cultural significance.
5. A Suit of Armor
In a scene straight out of a medieval fantasy, a passenger at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta wearing a full suit of armor. The passenger, reportedly an actor attending a comic book convention, attracted stares and camera clicks as he made his way through security.
While a suit of armor isn’t inherently dangerous, it certainly makes for an unconventional sight at an airport. TSA agents conducted additional screening to ensure the passenger wasn’t concealing any prohibited items within the armor. Ultimately, the passenger was allowed to board the flight, bringing a touch of chivalry to the skies.
In conclusion, air travel never fails to surprise, with passengers occasionally bringing along items that range from the eccentric to the downright bizarre. From emotional support peacocks to dead sharks and live lobsters, these incidents serve as a reminder that the skies are filled not only with airplanes but also with the unexpected.
