When flying, there’s a routine we expect to see before takeoff. Seatbelt checks, overhead bins slamming shut, and the safety demo on repeat all come with the territory.
However, one woman says Virgin Atlantic flight attendants caught her off guard when they began spraying the cabin shortly before departure—seemingly targeting passengers’ bags. Turns out, it’s common practice.
‘I Was Actually So Confused’
In the clip, which racked up more than 2.5 million views, TikTok creator Jodi Luchi (@jodiluchi) films a flight attendant walking down the aisle on a Virgin Atlantic flight, spraying a fine mist throughout the cabin.
The flight attendant sprays the cabin as a whole, rather than targeting individual bags.
“POV you’re flying out of Johannesburg, and they start spraying everyone’s bags before takeoff,” Luchi writes in the video’s text overlay.
In the caption, she adds that the moment caught her completely off guard. “I was actually so confused,” she wrote. “Never experienced this in my life.”
Commenters Are Familiar With The Practice
In the comments, viewers jumped in to explain that the scene wasn’t anything unusual.
“It’s normal practice. God forbid someone brings bugs on the flight and they spread to other bags,” one person wrote.
Another clarified, “They are not spraying the bags. It’s an insecticide that is sprayed. It’s a Port Health regulation in most African countries.”
Several commenters pointed out that they had seen the same thing on other international flights. “It’s standard procedure. We have travelled with Emirates and Qatar and both airlines did that,” one viewer shared.
Others said the experience surprised them the first time, too. “When I flew out of Ethiopia for the first time I was like whhhhhhat is going on with this rose water lol,” another joked.
Why Do Airlines Sometimes Spray The Aircraft?
As commenters explained, this spraying isn’t random; it’s part of a process known as aircraft disinsection.
Some countries require aircraft cabins to be treated with insecticide to prevent insects from crossing borders and spreading diseases such as malaria, Zika, dengue, and yellow fever.
These insects can hide in luggage, clothing, or the cabin itself, making planes an easy vehicle for transport.
To address that risk, airlines use non-flammable, World Health Organization–approved insecticides that are safe for passengers when used as directed.
Cabin crew typically ask travelers to close their eyes or look away while the spray disperses through the air so it can circulate effectively.
@jodiluchi I was actually so confused Never experienced this in my life – #johannesburg #southafricatravel #flight #plane #flightreacts
Depending on the country and local regulations, spraying can happen in a few different ways. Sometimes it takes place before takeoff with passengers onboard, as seen in Luchi’s video. Other times, crews treat the aircraft while it’s empty, wiping down surfaces and spraying the cabin before boarding. That method can remain effective for weeks, but not all countries allow it as a substitute.
Rules vary by destination and departure point. According to aviation reporting from Simple Flying, countries that require some form of aircraft spraying include Ecuador, India, Tanzania, and Panama.
In South Africa’s case, spraying typically applies to flights arriving from regions where malaria or yellow fever is present, rather than all outbound routes.
While it may look alarming if you’ve never seen it before, aviation authorities consider the practice a public health safeguard rather than an airline choice.
BroBible has reached out to Virgin Atlantic and Luchi via email for additional information and comment.