On some cAAriers, there is absolutely a procedure in place. If the offensive odor is detected on the ground, the LCRO is called to determine if there is a medical reason for the smell. If there is not, the pax is discretely asked to freshen up within their powers, or the airline will help them if they are unable.

If it is deemed a medical condition, then there is truly nothing to do but accept the pax, and try to reseat those that are unable to understand and accept the situation.

Four years back, two of my cousins and I visited Tokyo. We stayed there for 9 days in an apartment hotel during the Summer. There was a washer and dryer but we couldn't figure out how to use the dryer since it seemed to just steam our clothes. I was fine but my cousins were sharing clothes. One would wear a shirt and the other would wear it a couple of days later.

After, one cousin and I went on to Seoul. We were on different flights but I heard a funny story once we arrived. He said he was seated in the exit row and the lady next to him commented about the smell. He said it must be the toilets. She replied she didn't think so. When the flight attendant came to ask if they would accept the responsibility that comes with sitting in an exit row, the lady said she wouldn't.

Luckily, we had relatives in Seoul and got all of our clothes cleaned when we arrived.

I carry Burts Bees Radiance Lip Shimmer. It's clear (albeit shimmery) and smells like peppermint.

Smelly pax sits down, I slather my nose and lips with the lip shimmer. Every time I rub my nose, it smells like peppermint!

This was a lifesaver on some flights in China.

Slightly OT, when I was a student I used Vicks Vap-o-Rub on my upper lip or in my mask when dealing with smelly situations in the OR (I hated some of the smells). That said, I havea little Vicks in my carry on all the time...under 3.3 oz, of course :p

I think Proudbird was being as tactful as possible given the situation: it sounds like an elderly passenger did indeed do that, and they taxied back to the gate to let him off. ^ Best outcome for everyone, even if it caused that five-hour flight to be 20 minutes late.

Being allergic to most deodorants, I would politely decline said offer. (that being said, i bathe regularly, and make use of the (very) few products available that don't irritate my skin, so would not likely be put into such situation to begin with)

I had that unfortunate experience once. Fortunately it was only from LAS-LAX. But watching this large man rushing onto the plane after I had thought the doors were closed and then my dread of having him sit next to me realized was not fun. Especially since he smelled, probably sitting gambling all night and didnt have time to shower. I just accepted it and said to myself that i would be off the plane in 42 minutes:mad:

I once had a tank-top German with no Deodorant sitting next to me (in the middle seat because I booked ultra last minute on a non-preferred airline). That was the stinkiest flight of my life.

In December I flew EWR to SAT next to a female physical therapist from the Netherlands (she had a professional journal) and wow... BO city, we're talking four hours of funk on a 100 pct full plane - I would have asked for a seat next to the lav to escape from the funk. So if there are any Dutch physical therapists that flew from EWR to SAT in Dec I'm talking to you! Yikes, your pal ruined it for everyone.