The burger and fries are quite smelly, compared to say a cold beef sandwich. It's a bit anti social therefore I think.

I once ate a warm tuna salad thing on a train on the UK and heard a few people make comments about the smell. I ate it quickly and went to the vestibule to dispose of the packaging.

Strange I don’t think a BigMac is smelly at all and would never have guessed that’s the issue!

Sardines? Sure. Blue cheese, yep. Big Mac...?

I’m so surprised to read this. My only interpretation is that your sense of smell might be diminished. Your Big Mac can be smelt from around 3-4 rows away in both directions. It’s really unpleasant to sit there for a period of time smelling that, but people aren’t going to say that to a complete stranger.

Ok sorry to keep pressing on this but I must understand it. Does it smell “bad” or just “strong”?

There are certain things that smell strong to me but not bad at all and sure the smell may be a bit tiring after a while. For example perfume or certain foods etc. There are other things, including food, that are both and can be unpleasant. Of course the obvious bodily ones but also fermented cabbage, some cheeses, old fruit etc can be unpleasant.

But I wouldn’t call the smell of a bigmac unpleasant. Or a steak and chips for that matter or spaghetti bolognese. If you were eating that on a plane it would be actually pleasant for me. I’d prob feel like eating the same and have a smile thinking “who’s the lucky devil tucking into that spag bol?!”